Prairie Paper & Ink

Cards for Heroes Blog Hop

Cards for Heroes is hosting a MEMORIAL DAY BLOGHOP this Saturday May 24th. Bloggers from all over the US and abroad will be posting a card and sharing why THEY participate in honoring our nation's heroes. And everyone else gets inspired! This bloghop will be helping us to get the word out to even more crafters and financial donors-so we can get more cards out to our heroes! We're getting more and more requests all the time and need to step up our game, and this is one really fun way to share what we're doing...letting YOU share!  Hop through blogs, and get inspired to make more cards or donate funds toward our work! Tell your friends about it, even if they're not cardmakers...it'll do everyone's patriotic heart good to hear about so many Americans wanting to help our military. Visit bloghop central here. 

I was honored to be asked to join but I didn't see the e-mail 'till yesterday and didn't have a chance to make a card - BUT I wanted to make sure to post that you can go HERE <-----click! to start the hop and check out all the creations that the participants made!

How Sweet It Is - Stamps for a Cause

I really LOVE GinaK's new Stamps for a Cause set - How Sweet It Is!

I copied and pasted this from Gina's How Sweet It Is page:

"$7.00 of every stamp set will be divided equally between the American Diabetes Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, two organizations that are working on research to find better ways to treat diabetes and hopefully will some day find a cure."

How cool is that? And the fact that the set is extremely versatile (you can use it for so many things all year round!) makes it a mus-buy in my opinion!

You can purchase it either unmounted (on EZmount foam) or wood-mounted HERE.

This first card I made with this set uses the flower image - I stamped it then colored it in with Copic Markers.

The sentiment is from GinaK's Rectangle Greetings set (you get this FREE when you order 3 or more stamp sets in January - more details are here) and I stamped it onto celery (Stampin' Up!) card stock then punched it out with my Marvy Extra Jumbo (yellow) scalloped rectangle punch.

The yellow card stock is Bazzill (from the Doodlebug line - that is my absolute favorite line of all Bazzill CS - I love the texture and the colors!) and I finished off the card with a pink button that I threaded the May Arts ribbon through and tied off to hold in place.

STAMPS: How Sweet It Is and Rectangle Greetings stamp sets by GinaK Designs. CS: Papertrey White, Black, Tempting Turquoise (Stampin' Up!), DoodleBug Bazzill in Buttercream. INK: Brilliance Graphite Black, Copic Markers. ACCESSORIES: Marvy Extra Jumbo Scalloped Rectangle Punch, Ribbon, Button.

This is my favorite image from this set - I stamped and colored it in with Copic Markers then punched it out with my Marvy Mega Scalloped Circle Punch and sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip (SU!) ink.

The sentiment was stamped onto a scrap of Soft Sky (SU!) CS then trimmed and the edges were rounded using a circle punch.

And see I used some of my new ribbon!

The punched Giga circle is again Bazzill DoodleBug CS.

STAMPS: How Sweet It Is stamp set by GinaK Designs. CS: Papertrey White, Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky (Stampin' Up!), DoodleBug Bazzill in Princess. INK: Brilliance Graphite Black, Copic Markers, Chocolate Chip (SU!). ACCESSORIES: Marvy Mega Scalloped Circle and Giga Circle Punches, Stampin' Up! Slit Punch and Circle Punch, Eyelets, Ribbon, Sponge Daubers, Dimensionals.

My Word for 2008

I was on Ali Edwards blog recently (altho I'm not a major scrapbooker I love reading her blog as I find it so inspirational) and saw her post about choosing a word for the year and though I'd share mine:

Accomplish

   
Main Entry: ac·com·plish

1: to bring about (a result) by effort <have much to accomplish today>

2: to bring to completion : fulfill <we can accomplish the job in an hour>

3: to succeed in reaching (a stage in a progression) <would starve before accomplishing half the distance — W. H. Hudson died 1922>

4archaic a: to equip thoroughly b: perfect

........................................................................................................................................

When thinking up words to choose from this one jumped out at me and was just perfect. There are MANY things I want to accomplish this year - and instead of procrastinating (something I am HORRIBLE for!) I plan on getting them done or at least trying my hardest to do so!

If you've chosen a word I'd love to know what it is and why! Leave a comment on this post so I can hear about it too!

Wanna Laugh??

GinaK has been posting about this video for a couple days now - and I just got a chance to go and check it out - and HAVE to pass on the link. I actually saw part of this skit on Saturday Night Live quite some time ago and had no idea there was actually more to it!

You can see what I'm talking about HERE <------click! and you can watch the preview for yourself and see what I'm talking about!

AND did you notcie that if you buy that DVD (it's only $9.99 with FREE shipping) that they're donating $$ from each DVD sold to autism research? Now THAT my friends is a wonderful thing. So you can get the DVD (and a few extras for any friends or family that are stampers/scrappers - I think it would make a really cute gift!) AND they are now including a coupon code for a free bottle of Stickles (glitter glue) for you to use on your next GinaK order as well.

I think it's cool that Gina's stepped on board with these guys and they're working together in a way to bring more awareness to autism research and providing some great laughs for people along the way! You can see more of what Gina has to say about that HERE and HERE.

Now go check out the preview (click HERE) and give yourself a laugh!!

EDITED TO ADD: I just discovered that there is a blog to go along with this so I thought I'd share the link to it too as I just finished browsing through it and got quite a giggle out of it: Scrapper Molly's Scraptastic Scrappablog

A Muse Cards For A Cause

I just saw on the A Muse News Blog that they now have a program going called Cards for a Cause <-----click on it to learn more! I think the idea is so neat that I had to pass it on to y'all!! You can see each kit here:

Kit #1

Kit #2

Kit #3

Kit #4

Kit #5

Kit #6

I Feel So Grown Up!!

And I have a cool title to boot!! Check this <----click! out.

I have some big things in store - stay tuned for an announcement in a few days..........*wink*!

A Nice Big Check

(forgive my total lack of knowledge - but is check spelled cheque or check?? I THINK the que is the Canadian English version and the ck is US English - but it's been a while since my last English class and it's not like I paid much attention during it anyway ROFL! I normally spell it cheque - to me it just looks better that way!)

Check out how much was raised for Autism Speaks through the sale of the 'Love You To Pieces' stamp set!!!:

Big Check

(don't forget to leave a comment on the Big Cheque post on Gina's blog and be entered in to win a Giga Scalloped Oval Punch!!)

Isn't that wonderful?? And the set is not retiring either - you can still get it (and $$ from it will still be donated to Autism Speaks) from StampingFreak.com.

It feels so good to do something you love and support such a great cause at the same time doesn't it??

For Shane

OK here is the birthday card I made to send to Shane (if you don't know who I'm talking about check out this post).

I had a serious mental block making this - and only just got it done a couple of hours ago after staring at all my supplies for the past couple of nights!! I AM pretty pleased with how it turned out - I just hope he likes it!!

I used the Ahoy, Matey Stampin' Up! set (I know it's been forever since I've used any of my SU! sets!! Poor things are prolly feeling pretty neglected....) on Kraft CS and colored the images in with Prismacolor markers.

This week's Sketch Challenge on SCS was a good jumping off point for me altho I altered the sketch a bit to suit how I wanted this card to look.

I used a fine-tipped metallic silver Prismacolor marker to color the sword hilt and the hook - so in real life it's all metallic and cool-looking *wink*

I added some touches of white to the background image (the matching jumbo wheel on Cool Caribbean CS) and of course made his little bandana polka dotted ---- and then to make this card just a little more fun - I did a pop-up on the inside:

here's a side view:

(you can click on these pictures to get a pop-up window with a larger view)

All I did was make 2 evenly spaced cuts in the middle of the card (AFTER scoring it) and then adhered the treasure chest to it. The card closes up like normal and when you open it the chest and birdie take front and center :o)

I also decorated the envelope the back of which resembles the inside of the card where I just rolled the same jumbo wheel using Creamy Caramel Classic ink and then sponged the edges with the same color.

I had SO much fun making this card for Shane - I can't wait to get it in the mail to him!!

STAMPS: Ahoy, Matey, and Matey's Map Jumbo Wheel (both Stampin' Up!). CS: Kraft, Real, Red, Cool Caribbean, Basic Black. INK: StazOn, Creamy Caramel, Cool Caribbean, Real Red, Prismacolor Markers. ACCESSORIES: Brads, Small and Large Oval Punches, Sponges, White Gel Pen.

Oh and I should mention that I really liked using the Prismacolor markers on the Kraft card stock AND I used StazOn to stamp those images and it didn't smear one bit! So I'm thinking that for those of you who are having trouble with StazOn smearing when you use these markers - it's the **CS** not the StazOn.

On another note - don't forget to stay tuned to Papertrey tonight as the newest Faux Ribbon set is revealed!! *happy dance*

Spreading the Word

Do you think it's possible for one little boy to get over ONE MILLION birthday cards?? I do - and I think it's a fabulous wish to have - and what a great thing for all us stampers and paper-crafters to take up!!

There is a little boy in Ontario, Canada named Shane who was diagnosed with Leukemia and is turning 8 years old on May 30th 2007. His wish is for ONE MILLION birthday cards - you can see the link to the local radio station that has taken up this cause here:

KISS FM's Birthday Cards for Shane (there is an address there too).

As well here is a link to the thread started on Splitcoast: Shane's 1 Million Birthday Wish

AND a link to a video on YouTube which has an alternate address (either one you choose will work).

Here is the addy that was e-mailed to me:

Shane Bernier
Box 484
Lancaster, ON
K0C 1N0

I'm off to go make him a card - and I challenge all of you to make one and send it too! If you have a blog/website I also challenge you to post and spread the word (and if not tell your friends and family - the cards don't have to be handmade!!!).

It feels SO good to do something that means so much to someone doesn't it??

Thank you Jenn for e-mailing me with the info!! I am more than happy to spread the word!!

EDITED to Add:

Here are some postal rates for those who've been wondering (I copied and pasted these off the SCS thread that is linked above!!)

Australia ----> Canada = $1.20

Canada -----> Canada = 52¢

Germany -----> Canada = € 0.70

Mexico ----> Canada = 10.50

New Zealand -----> Canada = $1.50

UK-----> Canada ("zone 1") = 50p

USA ----> Canada = 63¢

A Challenge

Have you checked out GinaK's blog lately?? So far over 200 Love You to Pieces sets have sold - raising over $1600 for the charity Autism Speaks!! To see the set and learn more go here <--------(click!)

Now what is the challenge?? We want to raise at least $2000 by tonight - that means at least 40 more sets need to be sold (as $8 from each set gets donated). PLEASE spread the word - and also if you link to Gina's blog and post about this set and what it's about make sure to let her know as she's starting a list of all the blogs/sites that are helping to raise awareness.

Even if you are not affected by autism this is still such a great set to have - I really love it and plan on making a ton of more things with it!! The fact that proceeds from it go to charity is just a wonderful bonus in my opinion!!

Love You to Pieces

I'm really loving GinaK's new autism awareness set - Love You to Pieces - and I'm really excited to be able to help with such a worthy cause!! You can read more about all this here.

This was the first card I made with this set. As I was falling asleep the night after the set arrived this idea popped in my head LOL!! As soon as I got a chance the next day I sat down to see if I could re-create the idea.

I used the chipboard hearts that come in the Stampin' Up! On Board Accents. I covered both sides of the top one and one side of another one with paper from the Basic Grey 6x6 Scarlett's Letter pack (I got all the new ones from Jacksonbelle - I have Phoebe, Scarlet's Letter, Stella Ruby and Perhaps sitting here - with Blush and Lily Kate on the way!!! I LOVE the fact that the patterns are scaled down from the 12x12 sheets to a smaller 6x6 size - they're perfect for card making!! Oh and I was just told that AllThatScraps got some of the 6x6 packs in too!!). ANYWHO back to this card LOL!! Like I said I used some of the paper to cover the hearts (you just lay them down face up on the paper, trace them with a pencil and cut them out), adhered it and sanded the edges.

I inked up the edges of the hearts using Warm Red Clearsnap Fluid Chalk Ink, and stamped the small puzzle pieces BG stamp onto the top heart with Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink. I then held the hearts together and punched holes through them with my Crop-a-dile (and yes it punched through BOTH at once - I LOVE that thing!!)

I then tied them together with some red grosgrain ribbon and stamped the "Love You to Pieces" sentiment on the inside heart - so that it looks like this:

I tied the ribbon tight enough so that it stays closed and doesn't need anything to hold the top heart in place.

If you look closely at the knot in the polka dot ribbon (which is May Arts) you can see a little charm I made. I stamped one of the small puzzle pieces from the set and embossed it a couple of times with clear embossing powder, pierced a hole through it and attached it to the ribbon w/ a small jump ring and some string.

The patterned paper the heart is adhered to is also from the Scarlet's Letter collection.

STAMPS: Love You to Pieces (autism awareness set) by GinaK Designs. CS: Very Vanilla, Real Red, Close to Cocoa (all Stampin' Up!), Scarlet's Letter Patterned Paper (Basic Grey). INK: Clearsnap Fluid Chalk Ink in Warm Red and Chestnut Roan. ACCESSORIES: On Board Accents (SU! - chipboard hearts), grosgrain ribbon, May Arts Polka Dot Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder, Jump Ring, SU! Ticket Corner Punch, SU! Cutter Kit.

In real life this isn't so brightly red LOL!!

I stamped the hearts using Clearsnap Pigment Ink in Cranberry and then embossing them with clear embossing powder. They were then cut out and adhered to the card with dimensionals.

When I started out making this card I wasn't intending to make a masculine card - but that's what it turned out to be - polka dot ribbon and all. Tim says it's his favorite one of the three.

I ran the black CS through my CuttleBug using the Heart Blocks embossing folder, then pierced around the edges of it and the edges of the Bazzil CS. The white CS is also Bazzil.

STAMPS: Love You to Pieces (autism awareness set) by GinaK Designs. CS: Basic Black (SU!), Bazzil Fourz (red) and Bazzil Snow Washboard (White). INK: Clearsnap Pigment Ink in Cranberry, Palette Hybrid Noir. ACCESSORIES: Clear Embossing Powder, CuttleBug A2 Heart Blocks Embossing Folder, SU! Ticket Corner Punch, Paper Piercer, May Arts Polka Dot Ribbon, Dimensionals.

I had fun with this card. I mentioned in my New Stamps post that I have all this monthly patterned paper by Sweetwater. Well I had a light bulb moment when looking at the April paper and this was the result!! With April being Autism Awareness month and the release of this set it was just a perfect use for this paper!

I stamped the puzzle pieces onto the paper using VersaMark and embossed them with Iridescent Ice embossing powder so that they're glittery yet you can still see the paper really well.

I adhered the pieces to Bazzil CS, trimmed it *first* with my paper cutter THEN used my Fiskars Scalloped Scissors to trim it again - made it easier to do it in a straight line.

I used more of the same patterned paper on the BG, and matted it with the same Bazzil CS.

I stamped the sentiment onto White Snow Bazzil CS, trimmed it to about 1" wide and used my SU! Key Tag Punch to round each edge. I then punched holes in each side with the Horizontal Slot Punch and threaded the ribbon through.

STAMPS: Love You to Pieces (autism awareness set) by GinaK Designs. CS: Bazzil Snow Washboard (White), Bazzil Fourz (peach), Close to Cocoa (SU!), Sweetwater April Patterned Paper. INK: VersaMark, Clearsnap Fluid Chalk Ink in Peach Pastel, Palette Hybrid Noir. ACCESSORIES: Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Making Memories Brads, Fiskars Scalloped Scissors, SU! Cutter Kit, SU! Key Tag and Horizontal Punches, Ribbon (from Michaels).

More Thoughts

This time from Asela (who is a totaly sweetheart and fabulous stamper - I really admire her!!). If you are a papercrafter and plan to (or already are) submitting your work - read this first. It can also apply to you if your post your work online - I know I have found myself thinking along the same lines quite often - but in these past few months I've really started to remind myself that I do all this for ME and it doesn't matter how much "recognition" I get - comments and praise and all that ARE nice - I won't deny that!! *grin* but they're not the REASON why I do what I do - b/c if that were the case I'd have quit a long time ago. Anywho here's her post:

My Thoughts (by Asela)

More To Think About

Well, Julie is at it again. She added a new post to her blog w/ a LOT more insight into the whole CASE-ing/copying, copyright etc etc etc issue.

Big props goes to her for taking the time to sit down and write all this out for everyone to read - I find she can explain things MUCH better than I can - and I tend to agree w/ her on most points!! Since she does SUCH a good job at this it saves ME from having to blab off (and more often than not make a total fool of myself ROFL!!!) as I'll just link you right to it! *huge grin*

So here it is:

What I love, and mebbe you love it too...

I've also added this link to my "Some Food For Thought" post so that they're all in one spot! Happy reading!! :o)

Also PLEASE don't forget that just like Julie says in her post (and I've said it countless times to those that e-mail me) - I have NO problem w/ anyone copying the things you see posted on here when it is for PERSONAL use (like you wanna copy one of my cards to send to your grandma, or your best friend etc etc etc!!). When you want to copy for anything other than PERSONAL use - then just e-mail me and ask. :o)

MORE Food For Thought

Julie has added another post that I think y'all should read - I added it under the Copyrights and Wrongs link in my previous post so that they are all in the same spot. She definitely has some things that I think EVERYONE needs to read and mull over - and she says it so well!! I *heart* Julie for stepping up and saying the things that are on most of our minds and saying it in a clear and concise way!!

And don't worry - I'll have something more "lighthearted" (as in a card/project or SOMETHING LOL!!) to post later on today - I'm in the process of cleaning and organizing and Tim isn't feeling to well so I'm running quite a bit behind!!

Happy Monday everyone!!!

Some Food For Thought

Julie just posted a couple of things that I think EVERYONE should read - check this out:

Brace Yourself; I'm on my Soap Box

and

Copyrights and Wrongs

and

What's the point of the discussion? (just added March 5/07)

also:

What I love, and mebbe you love it too... (new!! Added Mar 9/07)

Some serious stuff - but an issue that seems to become more and more prevalent in today's world where practically everything is online and/or readily "available" if you know what I mean.

Anywho - like I said - it's food for thought......