« November 2015 | Main | January 2016 »

December 31, 2015

2016 Goals!?

IMG_0276

It's me again! I was taking a little bit of time to straighten up my desk and almost knocked over my pile of colouring books. If anything 2015 was the year of adult colouring books - they're EVERYWHERE. I held out for the longest time b/c I honestly felt that (for me) they were rather pointless. I color on a regular basis just with my card making so why get a colouring book?

But then the Johanna Basford ones caught my eye and the collecting started *wink*. I own all but the Lost Ocean book now, and just yesterday got my hands on the calendar b/c it was on clearance. I got one for my oldest daughter who wanted one for herself, and a Frozen calendar for K b/c hello - it's Frozen (my other monkey got a Minion calendar for Christmas LOL so the other 2 were feeling left out). So they were on clearance plus buy 2 get one free - so I walked away with another thing to color and yeah bets are already being placed that I won't be able to keep up with it.

Anywho I've had people asking me about my opinion on them all and I suppose I could do a quick YouTube video to show if there's enough interest? I have 2 of the colouring books, the calendar and I recently got the Artist Edition colouring book which is pretty sweet.

So that's my 2016 goal (one of them anyway) - to take a little time here and there to just color for the heck of it. We'll see if I can pull it off...

What are some of your goals for 2016?

| Comments (20)

|

Quick Tip Video - Cutting Apart Nested Die Shapes

QT-Cutting-Apart-Nested-Die-Shapes

Happy almost the end of 2015! I've got another video to share with you guys - something I'd meant to do for quite some time now and then was getting asked about again so I filmed a Quick Tip video to explain.

Like I say in the video it takes me longer to explain than it actually does to DO - but hopefully it helps regardless!

Here's the video:

  

To watch directly on YouTube click HERE <------click!

Screen Shot 2015-12-31 at 3.08.52 PM

Oh and before I forget - Simon Says Stamp has a bunch of products on for a REALLY good sale right now - some items are as little as .99! And if you use the code SNOW you get $5 off your order! Happy Shopping!

| Comments (8)

|

December 30, 2015

Happy Mail Haul! December 2015 Video

I am having a hard time believing 2015 is almost over! This year has been crazy (for me - to put it mildly LOL), and yet here it is and we've got just over a day left before 2016 hits. 

Anywho - I got SO many fabulous cards and a couple of gifts in my post office box this month. It's been so fun to go get the mail and find all these gems in there. It was a great mail month!

  

To watch directly on YouTube click HERE <-----click!

If you'd like to play along here's my mailing address:

Amy Rysavy

Box 906

Rosetown, SK

S0L 2V0

Canada

Also here's a link to Katrina's Lilla Rose site (the hair pins I showed): www.lillarose.biz/burbankhomestead

| Comments (10)

|

December 28, 2015

One Paper Pack - 2 Different Cards

Ahhhh Monday! Normally not my favourite day of the week, but I've had my coffee and accomplished a fair bit already this morning (note to those that participated in my recent giveaway to check your e-mail - I sent e-mails to all the winners first thing this morning!), and finished editing the pics of these cards and getting the supplies all linked up.

After I got all the monkeys in bed last night I had some time to create, and since I had a lot of the supplies sitting on my desk already I used the same patterned paper pack that's made an appearance on a couple other cards recently:

MFT Amazing Card by AmyR

For being a "Christmas" themed paper pack I find this one has a bunch of patterns that can be used all year long - case in point this card.

MFT Amazing Card Closeup by AmyR

Oh hello gold sparkly die cut word. I could add you to every card in the history of ever..... *wink* (I really need to find a way to insert the heart eyes emoticon into my blog posts - but maybe it's a good thing I haven't - otherwise y'all would be inundated with a ton of emoticons all the time LOL!).

I had some troubles with the triangle enamel dots - they just weren't behaving and I swear my ability to eyeball things straight was sorely tested with them last night. I ended up changing the placement on them before photographing the card, and adding some pool coloured enamel dots to balance them out.

MFT Amazing Card Inside by AmyR

I finished off the inside with more die cut hexagons (they're sooooo versatile - and with patterned paper they're just FUN) and a stamped sentiment.

MFT Thank You Card by AmyR

My second card uses the same patterned paper back, but with different patterns - and a totally different look.

I LOVE the polar bear paper - I've been wanting to use it on a card ever since I got the pack - and of course it made me think of a more "winter" theme for this card.

MFT Thank You Card Closeup by AmyR

I added some die cut snowflakes (the Let It Snowflake Die-namics is such an old set (still available!) and still one of my favourites after how many years...) and a die cut sentiment - this time in black. It was a struggle not to do it with gold glitter card stock like the first card.

MFT Thank You Card Inside by AmyR

I finished off the inside with a strip of the same polar bear patterned paper and stamped another sentiment from the same Amazing stamp set and that was it!

Unknown 

| Comments (9)

|

December 27, 2015

Simon Say Stamp Haul #19

I'm back with post #2 for today! If you missed my earlier post you can check it out here.

I've had these goodies sitting in a box here by my computer for a little while now (at least I didn't forget about them like I did the last time I ordered something :P) - this time I filmed the haul video and uploaded it quite quickly - I just didn't share it as quickly as I've been a tad busy LOL!

Also as I'm re-watching this video I realize I sound like a nut LOL! I was in such a good mood plus I'm pretty sure I'd *just* finished a massive cup of coffee so y'all get a front row seat to me on a major caffeine buzz......*wink* 

  

To watch directly on YouTube click HERE <-----click!

FYI I remembered to include the link to the Ranger Super Fine Detail Gold embossing powder, as well as links to all the different colors of cutting pads that Sizzix has available. I'll be getting all mine in colors now - I have literally "lost" my cutting pads sometimes b/c they just blend into the mess in and around my desk. So two thumbs up to being able to get them in fun colors now!

| Comments (5)

|

Mugs and Kisses

Hello everyone! I'd meant to have this card posted yesterday but was having some technical/internet issues - which seemed to have resolved themselves so here it is now!

I hope y'all had a wonderful Christmas/Holiday/whatever you celebrate. Mine and the kids was fabulous. I've really been enjoying spending the extra time with all of us together since the older 2 are on holidays from school. Movies and games and lots of "Frozen" lyrics being repeated over and over and over again LOL! Speaking of which I need to get this post done and then go haul Sven and Olaf around while K sings Let it Go at the top of her voice (those are the only words she knows - it's hilarious).

I had a little time during the 2 little nap time yesterday and made this card - it was inspired by a Starbucks gift card I'd picked up a few weeks ago (is it just me that gets inspired by their gift cards? I'll be in line and there's usually at least one that pops out at me - I love their artwork on them!):

MFT Mugs and Kisses Card by AmyR

I went with my favourite combo - gold/black/white for the win. I saw a coffee mug somewhere in my little travels in the last few months that had a "gold" base - and the only reason I didn't take it home with me is because it was WAY too small for my liking. My coffee mugs need to hold a TON of coffee LOL. No standard 8oz little mugs for me ;).

Anyway - the mug stuck in my mind so I decided to recreate something similar with card stock and ink.

MFT Mugs and Kisses Card Closeup by AmyR

I die cut the mug from white card stock, then sponged Delicata Golden Glitz ink onto it, and then to make it REALLY gold I brushed some gold Perfect Pearls powder onto it - sooooo pretty IRL!

MFT Mugs and Kisses Card Inside by AmyR

I finished off the inside with a stamped sentiment and stamped the little starburst image randomly with gold ink and that was it!

Unknown

| Comments (6)

|

December 24, 2015

Be Merry

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! I made yet another Christmas card last night, using more patterned papers from the same pack I used on my previous card. I love how the two cards turned out totally different:

MFT BeMerry Snowflake Card by AmyR

Of course the second I die cut this snowflake from gold glitter paper I wanted to die cut a million more and stick them to everything LOL! 

MFT BeMerry Snowflake Card Closeup by AmyR

I adhered the snowflake with a red line sticky dot (from Jody's Sticky Stuff store - the link is with the supplies) and then covered that with a black enamel dot since there's a hole in the middle of the snowflake.

MFT BeMerry Snowflake Card Inside by AmyR

I finished off the inside of the card with more patterned paper and a stamped sentiment from the Joyous Christmas Sentiments stamp set and that was it!

Merry Christmas everyone! :)

Unknown

| Comments (10)

|

December 23, 2015

Wishing You JOY

I'm still making Christmas cards! No video for today's one - I've been doing a million things at once and my little Gman is teething (he's got a top one trying to come through and it's being a total bear - the poor kid has been in agony for a couple of days now :( - it will be SO nice for him when it finally comes through - I'm hoping it does tonight!), so any card making is rather sporadic - which is how it is around here regardless LOL!

This was another one I had on my mental "to-do" list, though it was a little more vague in my head and took on a life of it's own once I started creating it:

MFT Wishing You Joy Card by AmyR

I used several different Die-namics set from MFT, along with the Trim the Tree stamp set and Die-namics set.

MFT Wishing You Joy Card Closeup by AmyR

I die cut the letters from gold glittery card stock (insert heart eyes emoji here LOL), then to complete the sentiment I used just the "wishing you" stamp from one of the sentiments in the Trim the Tree set and embossed it with Detail White embossing powder onto Bubblegum card stock.

MFT Wishing You Joy Card Inside by AmyR

I finished off the inside with another sentiment from the same set and then added few stars from the set with Bubblegum ink and that was it!

Unknown

| Comments (13)

|

December 22, 2015

Quick and Easy Christmas Card Video

I hope you all are enjoying the season so far - as for me and my 4 munchkins we're enjoying the beginning of Christmas holidays with no school and not a whole lot of anything planned. It's been nice just to take it a little easier and spend time baking Christmas goodies (speaking of which it looks like a bomb of icing went off in my kitchen - I'll be cleaning that up after typing up this post LOL), playing video games and watching movies with the kids for the last couple of days. 

I had a brief bit of time when the younger two were napping today to make this card, and since I kept it simple I got the video edited and uploaded that while I helped the kids decorate cookies (hence the icing explosion). Multitasking at it's finest! wink

IMG_0158

This was a really easy card to whip up - if y'all saw my snowflake cards and whatnot from a couple of months ago you'll remember my obsession with gold/black/white for Christmas colors and I still love it.

IMG_0163

Gold embossing powder and gold glittery enamel dots - can't go wrong there!

IMG_0165

Lastly to finish off the inside of the card I stamped a sentiment from the set and then one of the star images from the set with my Delicata Golden Glitz ink pad - another golden lovely that I think everyone should own LOL!

 

To watch directly on YouTube click HERE <-----click!

Unknown

| Comments (13)

|

December 21, 2015

Merry Christmas! EC Planner Update & Giveaway! Video

Hello everyone! I have had quite a few people asking me to do an update on my Erin Condren planner - so I filmed that along with a couple random little updates. You can check out the video below:

  

Or watch directly on YouTube HERE <-----click!

Also like I mention in the video if you're reading this on my blog feel free to leave any questions you'd like answered in the comment section of this post and I'll compile them all and answer them at some point in the near future!

Now for the giveaway - I'm going to give 3 of the $50 Erin Condren gift cards away here in this blog post - follow the steps in the Rafflecopter widget below in order to be entered in to win! (this is open Internationally - since I'm e-mailing the GC code and EC ships internationally this contest is open to everyone)

The 4th $50 gift card I'm going to give away on my Prairie Paper & Ink Facebook page - I JUST got to 5000 followers on there so it seemed rather fitting to do a giveaway over there too.

I've included a link to the planner, and to my FAVOURITE pens for it below. I forgot to mention these pens in the video, but I've mentioned them in previous planner videos - and I loooooovvveeee them. They're the only ones I use in my planner and I guess it's the one way I "decorate" in my planner because I like to write things in different colors so that I can see them easily and keep track. And they genuinely erase which is beyond cool (to me anyway - I remember the "erasable" pens I used to have way back when and they were garbage and shredded paper lol).

Like I say in the video - thank you ALL so very much for visiting my corner of the internet, for taking the time to visit me here on my blog (and any of my other Social Media - they're all linked there on the right below my profile pic in the sidebar), and for those that leave comments and whatnot. I do what I do because I genuinely enjoy it (crafting is great therapy!) and because it helps with the bills and putting food on the table for me and my 4 munchkins. I'd do it all regardless in some capacity but it's a MUCH more enjoyable experience because of all of you! I wish I could do more and larger giveaways to show my appreciation - but who knows maybe some day I'll be able to! It's all about paying it forward in whatever way possible in my opinion. 

So THANK YOU! And Merry Merry Christmas! I plan on getting more cards made and videos done ASAP so stay tuned! ;) :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

| Comments (342)

|

December 18, 2015

SSS Gifts of Love Holiday Card Video

Well my momentum from earlier in the week has cooled down somewhat - but that tends to happen with me every week LOL! As the week progresses it gets a little harder to keep going with everything and then I can't wait for the weekend to be able to somewhat re-charge and all that jazz. However that being said I still managed to get another card done - the ideas are still rolling (after so many months in a creative slump having my "stamping mojo" back has been a wonderful feeling - I really thought a few times that I may have lost it permanently...).

I haven't used my Copics in quite some time - I've been having a lot of fun experimenting with watercolours and whatnot, so my poor Copics have sat "neglected" for some time now. After my little mishap yesterday with a red Copic refill (I posted about it on my Instagram and Facebook page) I wasn't really feeling the Copic love but I made the card anyway - and decided to finish it and share regardless b/c I didn't have the time to re-do/re-work the card. It's all real life here folks!

IMG_0136

I totally forgot to take a picture of the Copics I used (it's been that long!) so here they are: W3, W1, W00, R20, G29, G28, R27, R24

IMG_0139

Ribbon! Something else I haven't used in forever and after using it on the previous card I posted I was reminded how much I like it again LOL!

IMG_0146

  

To watch directly on YouTube click HERE <-----click!

Unknown

| Comments (10)

|

December 16, 2015

Coffee Wrap Inspired Holiday Card Video

I'm back again! With ANOTHER holiday card and video! This crazy roll I'm on is still going strong so I'll keep posting and uploading for as long as it lasts (who knows maybe I'll just be able to continue but at a not-quite-so-crazy-frequent-pace instead of dropping off the internet for long spurts of time like I've done this year......I guess we'll just have to wait and see!). My life tends to be a tad bit crazy with 4 kids and all the ensuing drama but we're figuring it out and making it work! That plus the fact that we all know crafting is therapy and it IS - it feels sooooo good to be able to take a few minutes here and there to make something with paper and stamps - I feel more accomplished doing that than when I get all the dishes done and laundry folded.......

IMG_0120

Normally I just recycle the cups/wraps from my Starbucks drinks - but last time I was there I took a look at the wrap this time and inspiration struck. So I brought it home with me to remind me and it sat on my desk for the last couple of weeks. I finally got a chance to make the card that was percolating in my head (get it?) and filmed a video to go with it.

MFT SB Wrap Inspired Card by AmyR

I added some red to my card and used some ribbon for the first time in forever LOL! I still get asked a lot when I'll go back to "my old style" of card making and using ribbon/patterned paper/etc etc. Honestly the creative process is always evolving and changing - at least for me it is. I tend to cycle around things and my style changes with my mood and whatnot, but I pulled out the ribbon for this card and who knows I might start using it again here and there! wink

MFT SB Wrap Inspired Card Closeup by AmyR

Of course the card needed some gold too - I'm somewhat obsessed with all things gold lately (which I still find funny because up until the last couple of years I always tended to prefer silver - whether it be jewelry or embellishments LOL - and now it's gold all the way!), so gold embossing powder, gold glitter card stock and gold glitter enamel dots FTW (for the win!).

MFT SB Wrap Inspired Card Inside by AmyR

I finished off the inside with a stamped sentiment and some stars from the same set (if you don't own the Delicata Golden Glitz ink pad yet you should - it's SO pretty in real life).

  

To watch directly on YouTube click HERE <-----click!

Unknown

| Comments (12)

|

December 15, 2015

Simon Says Stamp Haul #18 Video

You know your life is just a tad bit busy when you order new goodies in the middle of the night (I vaguely recall being up with sick kids a few weeks ago - those times tend to blur together after a while), they arrive and you (or well me - I don't know how many of y'all document your online purchases.... *wink*) film the video, set aside the package to deal with later, then promptly forget about it for a good couple of weeks.

So yeah - I found the package under my desk, and the footage on my computer - and here it is now LOL! Just keepin' it real. Maybe with my crazy roll I'm on with card making and videos lately I'll be using and posting with this stuff way sooner than I've been doing this past year? *fingers crossed*

  

To watch directly on YouTube click HERE <-------click!

| Comments (4)

|

WPlus9 Watercolored Holiday Boughs Card Video

As some of you pick your jaws up off the floor (I KNOW - 2 card videos in 2 days!) - LOL I have another card video to share with y'all!

This one still took on and off all day yesterday from start to finish - but that's a huge improvement in my books from the previous card that was on and off for a week! I wanted to make a more "traditional" Christmas card this time - and this was what I came up with:

IMG_0097

This was a fun card to make, and if you used inks instead of watercolours like I show you could make this a LOT faster - either way it's a card you could mass-produce if you wanted easily!

IMG_0100

Of course I had to add gold embossing and gold glitter paper - for a flat card there needs to be some "bling"!

IMG_0105

I finished off the inside of the card with the sentiment from the same stamp set and more watercolored stamped images - which I used to decorate the envelope as well (once I start reminding myself to do that step I get myself into a habit of it which is always a nice way to "finish" off the card - to have the envelope a little decorated too).

Here's the video:

  

To watch directly on YouTube click HERE <-----click!

Unknown

| Comments (8)

|

December 14, 2015

Neon Christmas Cards

OK folks here's the card(s) and video I mentioned in my earlier post that I FINALLY got done/edited/uploaded. I've been working on them on and off all week among all the other things I have going on - crafting time just wasn't happening for more than 5-minute intervals here and there that's for sure. I finally got them done though along with the video and here it is:

SSS-Neon-Bday-Card-by-AmyR

I went SUPER-bright and pulled out these neon ink pads I've had for a long time now and haven't used. My camera had a harder time getting pics of these as they were so bright LOL!

SSS-Neon-Bday-Card-Closeup-by-AmyR

I mention in the video that I got an assorted pack of card stock at Michaels for my kids, and in the pack there were some neon colors - which just so happened to match the ink pads I had. So of course I had to swipe a few sheets out of the pack to use with these inks. I also say in the video that Michaels card stock (their own Recollections brand) is a lighter weight than what I normally use. I prefer 110lb weight for my card making (MFT, SSS, SU, and some other companies all have great heavy card stock - I only list those 3 as they're all ones I've used personally and can attest to their quality), and Recollections color card stock is only 65lb. It's flimsy - but it will work fine for die cutting and layering! I wouldn't use it for a card base though. 

Anywho - I used several die cuts for this card, and added glitter enamel dots and iridescent cord and vellum while I was at it. I was getting to the point of adding the kitchen sink too and decided to call it a day LOL!

SSS-Neon-Bday-Card-Inside-by-AmyR

This sentiment was BEYOND perfect for these cards - and I patted myself on the back after deciding to ink it up with all the different colors of neon inks - one of those moments you want to do a happy dance when you pull the stamp up off the card stock LOL!

(note - I include links to several "combos" and whatnot on the SSS site for these stamps and dies as that's how I originally bought mine, but they're also available individually which I've linked to as well.)

SSS-Neon-Bday-Card-Combo-by-AmyR

As a final touch I stamped the envelopes with the snowflakes and neon inks for each card - it was quick and easy and just adds a little "somethin' somethin'" to the envelope and finishes it all off.

To check out how these came together watch the video below:

  

Or watch directly on YouTube HERE <-----click!

Unknown

| Comments (13)

|

Next »

  • Amy

Stay Connected

  • FacebookTwitterPinterestInstagramEmailBloglovinYoutube

Search

14021725_1051223378247960_2625740918286471751_n

  • I have an affiliate relationship with Simon Says Stamp and they sponsor my blog. Affiliate links and this sponsorship help keep this blog and my social media running (and food on the table etc!), and affiliate links are at NO additional cost to the consumer. Please see my Disclosure/FYI statement below in the sidebar for additional info! ❤️

Tip Jar

{{{{Hugs}}}}

Tip Jar

THANK YOU!!!

Facebook


Recent Posts

Lifetime Pageviews


Disclosure/FYI

  • I get asked a lot about where to purchase the supplies I use in my videos and blog posts. I list all the supplies I use at the end of my posts or in the description box directly below my video on YouTube. Compensated affiliate links used whenever possible at no extra cost to you. Affiliate linking is what keeps my blog and YouTube channel up and running and enables me to work from home with my kids! I appreciate your support more than words can say! I occasionally receive product for free from stores/manufacturers with no obligation on my part to use/review - I only use and share what I personally love. Everything else I purchase myself! I participate in an affiliate program with Simon Says Stamp. All opinions are my own, I do not offer paid endorsements/reviews (and never will) and I will not promote products and/or companies that I don't personally use and love. Thank you all so much for your support!! ❤️❤️❤️ Text and pictures © Amy Rysavy; All rights reserved. Nothing may be copied or changed without express permission from myself. My artwork on here is for personal inspiration only and may not be copied for monetary gain, submission to contests, magazines etc. Thank You for respecting these limitations!!

Categories

Button Up

My Designer

  • My Designer