2011 Wrap Up

Halloween has come and gone, on Thanksgiving we feasted, Christmas hustle and bustle has passed, and tonight we ring in the New Year.

2011 has been a year of blessings and blessing in disguise.  We welcomed a little fur baby into our family.  We've weathered some relationship roller coasters. Grew in our friendships and embraced new opportunities.  I am so thankful for the blessing that God has given us this year, as well as the challenges that He put in our lives to give us the opportunities to grow and to be better people.

This was my first full year of being wifey with the Hubster actually home and not deployed.  I am grateful for the full year that I got to spend developing my marriage, keeping a home, and learning new things about myself and my husband.

I look forward to the changes next year will bring.  Lots of Auntie opportunities next year that I am so excited to embrace. Excited and nervous to progress through this stage in my life.  I can't wait to see the life that happens with my family and friends this next year. 

I hope you all get to spend the last moments of 2011 with people you love and get to start 2012 off to a great new beginning. Happy New Years!

Christmas Treats!

This year, I was able to have a treat making day with the Hubster's family.  It was super fun to get all the girlies together to make some Christmas treats.

First on the treat docket was Rocky Road Pieces (sorry... all the pics of those were blurry).  But it's peanuts and marshmallows covered in chocolate and formed into little mounds or balls of deliciousness.

Next on the docket, homemade Carmel Corn (recipe thanks to Mrs. DeLo!!)

And finally, Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Mmmm.  yummm  :]

Ta-Daaaaa!!! Crafter's block solved!

So right after I posted my last entry, the ideas started flooding in.  I had the faux stitched cacus and beanie, and I knew I wanted to use that some how. 

The purple paper is from Recollections Snowy Days paper pad

White rectangle cut using Spellbinders Nestabilities Wonky Recangles and embossed with D'vine Swirl and inked with ColorBox chalk ink

Cactus cut at 4" from Destinations cart

Beanie cut at 1" from Gingerbread cart

Merry Christmas stamp from Fiskars Holiday Hooplah and embossed with Stamp Stuff Winter Wonderland embossing powder

Red 3/8" ribbon from my stash

Card, cactus, and beanie faux stitched with white gel pen

And my favorite part...  Penguins jumping rope using Christmas lights stamp on the inside!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!



Crafters Block

So, I got this card order, and I'm totally stumped.  I've been thinking about this for a few weeks, and it is just not coming out like how I have it in my brain...  Doing Christmas in the Desert should be super easy...  right?  Well, apparently, WRONG. 

Embossing snowflakes onto Christmas plaid was a no-go. 

Picture framed cactus was less than exciting. 

Candycane striped cactus is cute...? 

I'm sure to most people, these ideas look fine, but we are our own worst critic!  And I am just not proud enough of this product to put my name on it...  Any one ever feel the same?  I'm cuttin close to the deadline...  and I'm just tryin to get past this crafters block...

Die cuts?

More ribbon?

Gold embossing?

Craft punches...???

Maybe too many options is a bad thing.

...Hmph...

Brads, Velum, and Stamps, oh my!

Here's a set I made to accompany a gift set of books.  I wanted to make a card for the gift, then included matching note cards for each of the books so I could include a special message.

As usual, I fell in love with this turquoise paper, so I didn't want to cover it up.  I had a stack of 3 inch velum strips left over from a project so I thought that would be perfect for this paper. I'd never stamped on top of velum before, so I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out.  I stamped the fuschia hearts then stamped the black words on top of the pink.  It turned out so cool!

I used scraps of the turquoise pattern paper on top of strips of turquiose paper to create continuity on the note cards.  I added distressing to the edges of the card as well as all the strips.  The Distressing Ink used on these cards are Antiqued Linen and Tea Dye.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!  It's definitely cold and rainy here, so I'll be bundling up for all my errands...

Holiday Boutique

This past weekend was the "big" debut for S. Elle Designs.  I joined up with Hayley from Smiling Circus for a Holiday Boutique in Irvine.  We were both excited, nervous, and tired, seeing as this was our first event ever for the both of us, and we had only two weeks to prepare.  I brought all my wreaths and 13 sets of cards.  Smiling Circus has mostly sewn items but also embelished vintage windows.  Sewn items included bibs, lovie blankets, flower clips, and coffee cozies. 

The Hubster came to help us set up our booth and helped us arrange the layout since we didn't have any time to prep that ahead of time.  He was also a great, big, huge help on transporting everything from the car into the venue, since neither of us had a fancy wheely cart.  

Hayley had an awesome vintage-y bookshelf to display my sample cards.  You can also see this awesome window that everyone just had to get their hands on.

Funny story about the wreaths... Since it was such short notice, and I didn't want to spend a ton of money and time looking for a display easel, I had no idea how to showcase the wreaths.  So I scoped out Target in the hopes that I would find some inexpensive or clearance shelving when I walked down the laundry aisle.  And then the light blub went off!  A handwash drying rack.  PERFECT!  Thankfully I already had the rack, so I was all set.  Just needed some shower hooks and I was golden.   And I think it turned out pretty nifty.

In this one, you can see the wreaths as well as the windows from Smiling Circus.  These two windows have hooks added to them.  One of them also has glass etched leaves.



We were pretty bummed with the turn out of the event.  Based on information from past years, there wasn't a good turnout this year.  There were lots of lookers and touchers, but hardly any buyers. All in all, it was an interesting experience.  I think I'll do another boutique or craft fair again... just with much, much more notice next time...

Surrounded by wreaths!

My dear friend Hayley from Smiling Circus asked me to join her at a Holiday Boutique in the beginning of Novemeber.  Seeing as I had only a couple weeks to prepare, I had to quickly hop to it.  I've been workin away every night after the regular 9-5 job on recreating a bunch of the favorites from the cards that I've done.  But this boutique needed something bigger...

So I hit the craft stores for some inspiration, and both Joann's and Michael's were having massive sales on the autumn silk flowers, so, wreaths it was. 

It took a little bit to find my grove since it's been amost over a year since I've made a wreath, but once I found my flow, it was like I knew exactly where every little piece belonged.

And this next one is my favorite.  Once it was done, I told the Hubster I didn't want to sell it because I felt like it fit so perfectly on our door.  But after some convincing, I was pursuaded and gave in.  If it is perfect for a door, then some one who can't make it should have it for her door.  I can always make myself another one.  

I love the mix of reds and greens and pops of yellow.  Something about it just seemed simple, yet intricate. 

Even though a SoCal autumn means temps in the low 70s in the day and at least in the mountain ish area that I live 40s over night, something about hanging these wreaths signifying the change in seasons just gets me ready for scarves and boots.  Although, it may not get that cold until January...  I'm excited non the less. 

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!!  It's back to the craft cave for me.

~S. Elle Designs~

Bunches of Birthdays

Goodness I am behind...  I just scrolled through my posts, and I realized just how many cards I have to share with you all!!  With all the stuff still on my list to create, I felt I'll never catch up with blogging them all.  Here's some more birthday cards...

You'll have to excuse the lighting/shadows.  At the time I was still experimenting with lighting in the craft cave.

 I just noticed that both of these stamps have the same birthday sentiment on the front.  I just get a kick outta knowing how much I use those bargin bins.  Love me some $1 stamps from Michael's!

I saw this butterfly paper and I just had to have it, but it took me a while to find a project that had a good mix of texture to match.  The pattern was embossed, so I needed something where you could still see what was going on, but also not have it be too plain.  And that was the way I felt about the ribbon too.  Because it was orange and yellow, up against any plain paper it just didn't pop.  But up against most patterns the ribbon just faded into the back ground.  I was suuuuuuper stoked with this combo, they were both simple enough to mesh, but textured enough to stand out from each other. 

Also, this was one of the first cards I did after I found out how AWESOME using brads are!

I hope you all have had an amazing weekend, I know I have!!  I've been able to spend a lot of time with both sides of my family, and I am so thankful to say that I am so blessed!!!! 

I read on a plate in a trinket store once upon a time, that "Friends are the family we choose for ourselves" and I believe it!  We surround ourselves with those who love us and I am so apprectiative for those I was lucky to be born with already in my family, and those whom I have chosen to be part of my family as well.  I love you guys!

Enjoy Labor Day!  Eat some BBQ :]

Birthday Cake

Here's one I made for the Hubster's cousin for his birthday last month.  I find it more difficult to make cards for boys... I'm a big fan of girly-girly frilly and shimmer, most of which boys are NOT a fan of.  I decided to go with cake instead...  you can't go wrong with cake!

Graduations!

Grades submitted, transcripts sent, degree conferred, and yup, you guessed it, got my diploma in the mail!!  It took me a while, and there were lots of hurdles, long nights, and cram sessions, but I am officially a college graduate, with my degree in a fancy little frame.  So, in the spirit of celebrating me  gradutating, here's some graduation cards I've made for others. 

Celebrating a Fashionista

Here's a birthday card for a girly girl who loves fashion.

I was really exicted to use all the different shoe designs on some of my cartridges.  Seeing as I'm kinda a shoe fiend myself, this card was a lot of fun. 

Swirly pair of heels cut at 2 5/8 from the Wall Decor and More cart.

Slippers cut at 3 1/4 from Tie the Knot cart, attached on foam dots.

Striped glitter shoe cut at 1 3/4 from Tie the Knot cart.  Squiggles embellished with fuschia glitter.

Sentiment is embossed with black and silver glitter.  Stamp is from the dollar bin from Michaels.  

Insert sentiment is Fiskars Birthday Cheer Simple Stick stamps.

Pink swirlies stamp is from TPC clear stamps Flourish, stamped with Spun Sugar Distress Ink.

Destination: Paris

My in-laws love to travel.  They have a place out in Cabo, and they go visit all the time.  A few summers ago, and a few times since, they've been to places all over Europe.  This year, I sat down to make a sentimental Anniversary card since they've played a big part on our lives these last few years, but as soon as I sat down in my craft cave, I saw my Destinations cart and my whole plan changed.

Originally I had it on just the purple background, but it was definitely missing some Parisian flair.  So I used one of my cuttdle bug folders to emboss the swirly pattern.  I attached the Eiffel Tower centerpiece with some black square brads.

I had left the inside blank, with the exception of a swirl in the background, because I had a lot to say. 

There's nothing like family, and nothing like the love of family.  I am so thankful for the blessings of being with both sides of my family, and to have such an overwhelming support and love.  I realize I am so fortunate to have such an amazing family.  And I wouldn't trade that for the world.

Hope you all have a great start to the weekend!

The end of this year's Father's Day cards

This year was particularly special for some of my friends who became first-time fathers, one of whom was Harper's dad.  There were some especially difficult challenges just after Harper was born, but none of that changed that Harper was going to be destined to be a daddy's girl.  This little girl just melts the heart of her daddy, and they are so precious together.  I wanted to make something extra special for Harper's dad for his first Father's Day.

I used circle die cuts to cut a hole in the front of the card and a slightly larger circle for the hole in the top layer.  This was a little more difficult than I had expected, but through srom trial and error, I finally got it right.  I used black brads to secure two of the corners of the top layer.  The "Happy Father's Day" stamp is just an old rubber stamp from my collection. 

The inside of the card was actually my insirpation for the card.  I cut a heart shape out of a post-it note and used a stamping pad and pink ink tp dab around the heart to create the heart shape and to fade the color throughout the background of the inside of the card.  And finally, added two little footprints.

Late to the party: Father's Day

I was really excited when I got my Wrap It Up cart just before Father's day, because it had a tie in it and other random holiday designs.  When I was looking at all the designs included on the cart, I saw the tie, and I knew I had the perfect paper for it. 

My dad was very "suit and tie" for work when I was little, so I knew I just had to make him a special Father's Day card.  I put the tie and the frame on pop dots, and it made the tie stand out exactly like how I had pictured it.  "thanks DAD" stamp was one of those $1 sets from Michael's.



Even though this is one of my favortie designs so far, one of the biggest reasons this is at the top of my favorites lists is because I got to fill the whole inside telling my dad how much I appreciate him and how important he is in my life.  It seems silly to wait for only a few times per year to tell some one how much you love them and appreciate everything they mean to you. 

I hope that we all can start affirming and encouraging those around us all the time, and not save our affections for only certain moments.  I hope you all have having a good weekend so far!

Better Late than Never

Here's some of the other Father's Day cards I did this year.

Getting into doing my own cards for holidays helped me to realize how many people in my life I really do care about.  When I went out to buy cards, there was always some one I would forget about.  But when I sit down to start a project like Father's Day cards, I realize how many people in my life deserve appreciation.  And I love taking the time to think about each person as I make their card. 

I hope you all have a good start to the weekend!!

Why ello kitty

Hubster and I spent a bit of time away from it all by camping in the mountains.  As I'm sure you all may have seen our little furry-purry Pendleton, we needed a kitty-sitter.  Thankfully, my sisters was super stoked to watch our little Pen-Ben.

And naturally, I was super stoked to make her a thank you card.

Tried to make the white happen with the letterpress, but it just wasn't working out for me.  So I had to try something else to make it work.  I used a cuddlebug folder to emboss the blue paper then used white ink with a stamper pad to color the raised pattern from the embossing. 

I used the Car Decals cart to make the kitty.  "thanks" stamp was from a Fiskars removable stamp pack (can't remember what it's called off the top of my head).  Both ribbons are Celebrate brand.

Hopefully I'll be able to post some more pictures this weekend.  Have lots of cool stuff to show you. 

Father's Day

Soooo... not sure what happened to the post I published over the weekend.  I guess I'll jut have to re-type it "/

Happy Belated Fathers Day!!

Better late than never I suppose... But I finally bring you some of the Father's day cards from this year.

I had specific themes for this order of Father's Day cards.  The customer's father is in India, so she wanted something to match the culture.  So lots of vibrant colors and the shinies as I like to call them. 

This was another specific theme request.  The theme was San Francisco, so at first I tried to make something that looked like a trolley, but that definitely did not work.  So a couple weeks after I got this request, my new cartridges came in, so I was super stoked to use my Destinations cart. 

My cricut, however, was not so thrilled.  I think it was throwing a temper tantrum because it was shredding and tearing all the paper I tried to cut for the Golden Gate Bridge.  So I had to get a little creative and make my own "golden" gate bridge.  Took some yellow Bazzill Basics paper and distressed it with Tea Dye and Wild Honey distressing ink. Also did a bit of distressing around the backgroud of the card to get it all to mesh together.

Not too shabby if I do say so my self :]

Well crafters, I'm off to bed, but I just wanted to re-post what didn't want to post over the weekend.  I hope everyone has an enjoyable Hump Day tomorrow!

Until next time happy crafters...



I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaccck!!!

Dear Blogosphere,

I'm sorry for my time away, but I am 75 minutes away from being a colloge graduate!!!!  Thank you all so much for your patience while I've had to put my love of crafting on the back burner while I finish up my degree.  But brace yourself folks!!!  I do have lots that I've kept in the wood works to bring out for you all.  I am SO stoked to be back into crafting.

Stay tuned for the flood of awesome!!!

First Letterpress/Dye Cut Creation!

So sorry I haven't posted in a while...  all this schooling has kinda been taking up all my time.  And the little time that I do have left over, I've been trying to squeeze in some QT with the Hubster and Pendleton.  There just isn't enough hours in the day...  But I'm sure if there was a way for me to add more to it, even then there wouldn't be enough time to get all the things on my to do list done.

But since I can't change that, on to things worth talking about.  My birthday was a couple of weeks ago, and the Hubster was super duper excited about the birthday present that he got me.  Waaaaaaay back in March, when I came home from the scrapbook convention, I told him I wanted a letterpress/dye cutting machine.  And since he's forgetful, he pretty much ordered one online that day.  So it had just been killing him to wait over 2 months for me to open my present.  But let me tell ya, I am so glad that he did, because I LOVE IT!! 

Thankfully, very soon after I opened my present, I had a card order come in, and I just couldn't make the card fast enough with the dye cutting machine. 

Super stoked to do a bunch of other stuff with this fun new toy.  I actually just got a wedding invite order, so that has been the other thing keeping me super busy...  but I can't show you all yet!!  The bride and I want to keep the invites a secret till they get mailed (since I'm close with the fam, it would totally ruin the surprise if I posted pictures.)  These invites use all my toys right now, I am SO excited.  Little bit of cricut, some cricut design studio, letterpressing, distressing inking, and so much more. 

Stay tuned!!