just helen

By Any Other Name

In an effort to make life easier on myself, I am making a slight change.  I will no longer be featuring mini paper pads just on Mondays.  Rather, I will make a serious effort to feature it once a week - similar regularity but marvelous freedom on my part!  Instead, it will become Mini Mania.  So, without further ado, on with the madness.

Today's featured paper pad is from Echo Park - Splash!

 
Summery patterns can be used for less summery themes.  Bright, cheery colors will liven any color palate. 

 
I used the sheet titled "Sunshine" and punched a 3" circle with the points coming together in the center, added a 1 1/2" circle of the reverse side of the paper, trimmed away the white and then added another yellow circle on top with foam mounting tape.

 
A thin line of glue holds the twine in place.  The sentiment is a little pale in the picture, but shows up better in person.

 
I can't seem to get away from stitching!  Punch your circle and then start on the outer edge, stitching toward the center.  I was in the mood to crumple something...so I did!  I inked the edge just a little to add some definition.

 
I love having a pretty little pile of yo-yos to use when ever I'm in the mood.

 
This big button was something I picked up at a cute button shop in New York years ago. I bought 5 different colors, but never used them - this card had the perfect spot!

 
You can see that I'm getting good use from my baker's twine from The Twinery.  I love the bright colors!

 
This fabulous flower was made on Gluber, using that wonderful "Hug Snug" seam binding.  It is lightweight enough cling well to the Gluber and you can make it very ruffly.

 
Isn't it pretty?

I even made a layout this time - a very simple one, but it suits my time schedule these days!

 
I used 5 different patterned papers and to add a little texture, I punched "bubbles" out of the patterned strips.  Sometimes I just like to keep it simple.

 

 

Mini Monday with Cosmo Cricket's Social Club...on Wednesday!

I think it was a beautiful day today, maybe even warm...if I could have found myself in the sun!  Setting up displays at the county fair keeps me indoors most of the day except for early morning (walking in) and early evening (walking out) and Del Mar in June, being so close to the ocean, can be a little chilly.  I've had a little bit of this and that going on this week, but dinner is in the oven, the cards are done and all I need to do is type...so here goes!

I have been working on a project with brown paper sacks and I have a bunch of small pieces left, so rather than toss them, I have incorporated them into my Social Club projects.  I love the natural edge on the top and the warm kraft color, and while it isn't part of the color palette of the Cosmo patterned paper, it compliments it perfectly!

 
 
Gratitude is always in style and if you are blessed to know as many wonderful people as I do, you can always use more thank you cards.  The sentiment stamp (Basic Grey) had a little bird on top of the "k", so I stamped it a second time, cut out the bird and placed it directly on top with a little foam tape.

 
One thing I love about making cards is that I get to choose the sentiment that fits the occasion I need it to fit.  Often I will leave a card totally devoid of words and leave it blank so that I can pop on a saying last minute...or I will make it open for determination, as in "oh happy day".  That would work for a birthday, a new house, a graduation or congratulations of any number of occasions...anything for anyone you are happy for.

 
"I am Lost" could certainly say you miss someone...or it could be a gratitude card for a fabulous tour guide!  Make it fun...or funny!

 
 
Inside it reads:

 
Make your next "girl's night out" a special event with a personalized invitation.  On the inside you can write a personal note or catch up on any of the latest gossip...no, let's just say news - gossip isn't nice!

 
 
 
Well, dinner is done and it's time to get ready for tomorrow.  Have a good one!

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!

 

Mini Monday with Crate Paper

Why is it that Monday's are always getting away from me?  I almost didn't make it with the Mini Monday selection, but I'm trying some consistency and so I press on...and make on!

Today I am working with a mini pad from Crate Paper, from the Emma's Shoppe Collection.  There are fewer patterns in Crate's 6"X6" collections, but more sheets of each, which was nice.

When I started the projects today, I fully intended to keep the project super simple...

 
 
but as things progressed, they got busier...

 
 
I tried to use up some of my odds and ends leftovers...

 
 
and once I started using yo-yos, well...

 
 
...and the last,

 
 
because it's all about paper "play".

So...since this is so late, and I run the risk of not getting this posted before my Monday is over, this will be a post of few words.

Mini Monday with Fancy Pants

It is a given: Mini pads of paper work great for cards.  The smaller patterns and size lend themselves to smaller projects.  Besides, if I am going to cut up a whole 12" X 12" sheet of paper to make a card, which is difficult for me to do, I'd better plan on making a bunch of them.  However...technically speaking, I don't have a problem cutting up a 12" X 12" sheet to put a small piece of it on a layout...doesn't make any sense at all. 

Good news!  You can use mini paper pads on layouts! 

 
 
 
Today I have chosen to work with a line from Fancy Pants...it's the little things by Lili.  I tend to being more of a minimalist when it comes to using patterned paper on most of my projects anyway, and I don't mind to use the 6X6 sheets at all. 

Although I am using more of the monochromatic sheets on the "April Showers" layout, there is plenty of color in the pad, as you can see in this card...

 
 
Another Mini Monday has come and almost gone.  I'd like to do more cards, but now I must go and play with my new microwave.  First things first!  Have a good one!