Cards, Collage, and Altered Art

For All You Motorcycle Mama's!

2011-12-14T14:31:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to share with you some wonderful motorcycle themed holiday images I received in the mail a few years ago. These are representations of some of the artwork found in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Ohio that were offered as Christmas cards. They are printed on the same heavy cardstock used in the cards, but the backs of these pictures are filled with information on the purchase and ordering. Of course, I had to use some to make my own set of Holiday cards!

If you'd like to see more of these images, they're on my Etsy shop.

One of a Kind Flower

2011-05-24T06:27:00.001-07:00

Here's a new card made entirely from recycled items. The card itself is recycled junk mail handmade paper. The flower was cut from vintage playing cards, and the center of the flower is a metal vintage button.

Inside, I added a white piece of handmade paper for writing your own message.

Celebrate Earth Day

2011-04-20T07:40:00.000-07:00

Friday, April 22 is Earth Day. Try to recycle useful objects into your art, not just for one day, but everyday! There are some beautiful and unique items that are usually discarded, but can make your art one of a kind. I've just finished a bunch of notecards using pictures from out dated calendars. Look around you and try to see the potential in everything! If you need some more ideas, take a look at my related blog posts.

Recycled Treasures

2011-04-05T06:32:00.000-07:00

Here's a very creative assemblage of repurposed art from various ArtFire artisans. Enjoy and be inspired!

Discarded Treasures

Curated By: VintageFlairC...

ArtFire.com

Fine Art Paintings

Card Makers on ArtFire March Challenge

2011-03-29T08:19:00.001-07:00

The Card Makers on ArtFire Guild issued a challenge this month to create a green mono chromatic card. Whites and ivory were also allowed. Here's my card that I finished just under the end of the month deadline. It's funny how things eventually come together!

I've used actual pages from a discarded book and tiny recycled puzzle pieces as embellishments. You can see more challenge card creations at the guild photo gallery.

Altered Altoid Tins

2011-03-21T17:07:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to using those old Altoid tins that I've been saving for years! I've seen lots of recycled tins on the web that are just covered with scrapbook paper and ribbon, and I wanted to do something more. The first step was to paint or ink the top of the tin with an appropriate color for the theme I wanted. A gold paint pen also worked well. The most difficult thing with this project was creating the proper sized template for covering the top. Once I had the template made, cutting the cardstock was easy. This was a necessary step for the more recent tins which have embossed covers that I wanted smooth. I embellished with vintage images, some of which are sealed in a protective glaze, fabric ribbon, buttons and bottle caps.

I had to make another template to line the insides. I used fabric or cardstock for the lid and bottom, then lined the edges with fabric ribbon. I think they came out perfect, and are nice little trinket boxes to hold tiny treasures, candy, buttons, etc.

Easy to Use Resin

2011-03-12T14:36:00.000-08:00

For the last couple of years I've been experimenting with various sealers and glazes for my bottle cap pendants. Until now, the most promising products were UTEE and Diamond Glaze. I did a previous post on them in 2009 that you might want to refer to. I was never completely satisfied with either of these products for my purpose, but they were the best I tried. I wanted to use resin, but the toxicity of the product was not something I wanted to deal with. I've just discovered a very promising product that has been around at least a year called Magic-Glos by Lisa Pavelka. It's a one part liquid resin that is UV light cured. That means it will cure in minutes in direct sunlight! I tried the product on a few of my pendants and I'm very happy with the results. The final product cures crystal clear and looks like glass. It takes a little while to learn to use it properly, but there are directions and videos by Lisa on her site and on UTube.

Too Expensive? I Think Not!

2011-03-06T08:09:00.000-08:00

It's funny how some individuals have no clue about the work and effort that goes into handmade items. I was selling my altered art pieces at a show this past week, and among my things I had a few bottle cap magnets and pendants. I was taken by complete surprise when an older woman remarked to me "You're selling these for $3? You get the bottle caps for free!" I quickly responded that: The caps are not free. I have to purchase them new and it takes time and hard work to create a piece of art! Maybe it was her age, maybe she didn't like my work, or maybe she just thought I was taking advantage of people. She said nothing and left.

That started me thinking about just how much time and effort go into any handmade item. I've broken the creative process down into four categories: Development, Implementation, Assessment and Marketing.

Development: the planning stage.

What am I going to do? Is there a theme? What is the design?
What supplies do I need? Where can I buy them? How much will they cost?
What will I do with the finished product? Do I keep it, sell it, or give it away?
How long will it take me to complete?

Implementation: getting to work

Purchase all necessary supplies.
Gather together the specific items needed.
Experiment with various techniques to find the right one for your project.
Assemble your creation.
Re-assemble your creation when the first one isn't to your liking!
Fine tune and clean up your finished piece.
and sometimes - Start all over again because it's all wrong!!

Assessment: analyzing your handiwork

Did your work come out as expected?
Did it take too long?
Are you happy with it? Would you make it again?
Is it good enough to sell or give away? If yes, then proceed to Marketing. If no, keep it for yourself!

Marketing: selling your handiwork

Will I sell online, in a store, or at a show?
How much can I sell it for? How much would I pay for a similar item?
When calculating pricing, don't forget the cost of supplies, cost of marketing, and payment for your time.

Okay - back to my bottle cap artwork. Now that I've thought about this whole thing, I think I better raise my prices! $3.00 seems like a bargain to me!

Kitchen Magnets from Vintage Findings

2011-02-22T11:09:00.000-08:00

A while back I found a bag of vintage jewelry parts at my local thrift store. There were a number of large brooches that had the pin back removed. They are too large to use on any of my cards or collages, so I am turning them into refrigerator magnets. If the pin is large enough, a strong magnet can be attached directly to the back, as in the strawberry. Some have an aluminum backing (cut from a soda can) attached, as the flamingo. The other three are attached to stained or paper covered wooden disks the size of a poker chip. If you decide to make your own kitchen magnets, be sure to get magnets strong enough to hold them in place without sliding down the refrigerator door! For these pieces I used ProMag 3/4" and they work great.

A Vintage Flair Card Studio Blog

2011-02-17T09:32:00.000-08:00

Check out all my new cards and journals at my new blog, VintageFlairCards. Find just the right card for that special someone! Birthday cards are the featured listings today.

Simply Hollywood

2011-02-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

I just finished this lovely notecard set of six hollywood movie actresses from years ago. The cards are simple, but as elegant as the ladies themselves. The computer generated photos are mounted on textured card stock with a matching border, and the card is off white metallic. Sometimes simplicity works best!

Using Vintage Photos for Journals

2011-02-13T14:49:00.000-08:00

If you don't know what to do with those old photos you've collected, here's an idea for you. Make them the cover of a journal. Here are two wedding journals that I've made using Victorian couples. This type of photo is very common and can usually be found quite cheaply. But they make great themed journals. Use your imagination and salvage some of those vintage photos!

Punches for Backgrounds and Frames

2010-11-15T22:43:00.000-08:00

Here's a few cards made with my new punches. I love the intricate designs. They fit in well with my vintage inspired cards.

Flickr Group for Cardmakers

2010-11-02T11:18:00.000-07:00

If you are an ArtFire artisan selling handmade cards, you might want to join my new FlickR group, Cardmakers on ArtFire . You can upload up to 12 photos a day, but they must be greeting cards - no scrapbook pages, embellishments, etc. I'm hoping this group will give us and ArtFire a little more exposure. There are many talented cardmakers selling their creations so let's show the world what we can do!

Handmade Cards vs. Mass Market Pricing

2010-10-31T23:19:00.000-07:00

I was reading a post on a handmade selling venue a while back taking a poll as to how much shoppers would pay for a handmade card. It shocked me when I read how little some buyers were willing to spend. If I remember correctly, the average price was about $3.00. Now it's incomprehensible to me that shoppers will buy shelf cards in their local stores for $5 or $6 a pop, but hesitate to purchase a handmade card for the same or lower price! As any paper crafter knows, it takes time and supply money to create something special. It's not unreasonable to expect the same or higher prices than mass market cards! But alas, many card makers create for the sheer pleasure of the craft and must sell cheaply to make sales. Too bad... card crafting is an art form. Card makers (and scrapbookers as well!) should get decent compensation for their hard work. I'd love to hear what you have to say on this subject.

Women Who Dare

2010-10-31T11:40:00.000-07:00

I recently completed three Women Who Dare cards commemorating strong women of the past. The photos, Amelia Earhart, Bessie Coleman (1st African American aviator), and Therese Bonnet (military photographer), are cards from the Library of Congress Knowledge Cards, Women Who Dare, series I. The inside of the greeting card has a short biography of the woman, computer generated from the back of the knowledge card. Very unique cards to motivate and inspire. I have the entire deck of cards, so there will probably be more to come.

A Vintage Flair Card Studio

2010-10-27T07:14:00.000-07:00

After a 2 year hiatus from cardmaking, I am pleased to announce that I have just opened a new card shop on ArtFire. I'm very excited about this new venture and plan on adding new cards on a weekly basis. I have also started a FaceBook page for shop updates and new card additions. Please stop by, "like" me, and add me as a favorite.
If you're unfamiliar with my work or would like to see some of my previous card art, visit my gallery on Flickr.

A Vintage Flair Card Studio

VFCS on Facebook

Retro Birthday Card for Dad

2010-10-22T11:10:00.001-07:00

Here's a cute birthday card I created using a few recycled embellishments. The little boy is coated with diamond glaze and mounted on a painted puzzle piece. The crown and king emblem are made from soda cans that I've diecut. There's a metal plate on the bottom that reads happy birthday. "Dad" has been diecut from a foam sheet. Everything is mounted on textured scrapbook paper with a strip of patterned paper and two vintage buttons. I'll be making a second card for "Mom" with similar embellishments.

Adhesives

2010-10-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

Where does one start in purchasing a supply of adhesives? There are so many on the market today it's easy to get overwhelmed. There are only a few types that I use, and they will not be everyone's choices. But I find they work the best for me.

My mainstay is some type of tape runner adhesive. There are lots of them available and it's tempting to buy the least expensive you see. WAIT! Check the length of that tape! The product that costs most, just might be the most economical. I usually use Therm O Web's Memory Tape Runner. It's dependable, the tape doesn't tear or stick to the applicator, it has good adhesion, comes in permanent or repositionable, and is acid free. I like the tape runners primarily for their ease of use.

Liquid Glue Pen. I like these to adhere small paper pieces like diecut letters. They come in different sized tips for various applications. I like ZIG 2 Way Glue.

Glue Dots. These are great for adhering small embellishments. I have found, however, that in the Vegas heat, they often get soft and let your attachment slide around a little.

Glue Stick. I always have these on hand, but don't use them too often. It's usually a back-up when I run out of tape runner! Make sure you get a brand name and apply enough glue, but not too much to lump up.

And finally - the cream of the crop - Xyron! I have 3 different size sticker makers as well as the Cheetah. I love using them, but the adhesive is quite expensive. I always buy it on sale or with a 40% off coupon from the craft stores. By far my favorite is the tiny sticker maker - runs about $7 at a discount and refills about $4. The Xyrons are great for anything you can feed through - paper, ribbon, magnetic sheets, fabric, etc.

So there you have it. Undoubtably, everyone has their own favorites. Some may even hate my choices. So if you see something interesting that you think you might like, try it! There's lots of good choices.

Make Your Own Envelopes

2010-10-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

One of the nicest things about making your own cards is that you can make them any size or shape you want. But if you don't want to make your own envelopes, it's important to make your cards the proper dimensions to fit a pre-made envelope. These are the three most common envelope sizes and the size of the cards that fit:

Envelope Dimensions Card Dimensions
A-2 4 3/8" x 5 3/4" 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
A-6 4 3/4" x 6 1/2" 4 1/2" x 6 1/4"
A-7 5 1/4" x 7 1/4" 5" x 6 7/8 "

If you want to make your own envelopes, it's easy enough - it just takes time. Take an envelope the size you want and carefully open it up to form a template. Trace it onto the paper you want to use, score, fold and glue. DONE!
You can also buy templates for various size envelopes. Do a web search for envelope templates and you'll find anything you need.

Now you'll have to add adhesive so the envelopes can be sealed. You have a couple of choices here. You can use a strip adhesive where you pull off a strip of paper to expose the glue, or you can use a remoistenable envelope glue that you spread on, let dry, and then lick it as a pre-made envelope.

Don't be limited by using plain envelopes, either. If you use a scrapbook paper just be sure to leave a space for writing an address, or use a mailing label.

Creating with Discarded Vintage Books

2010-09-12T16:59:00.000-07:00

Vintage books contain wonderful images. I attempt to salvage them by creating one of a kind notebooks, notepads and journals so that these priceless images will not be lost forever. I always use books that are in poor condition. Good vintage books and collector's editions should always be kept intact for future generations. Here's an example of a small notepad created using the pages of a vintage Alice in Wonderland book.

A nice addition to these notebooks is the use of entire pages from the original books randomly inserted between blank pages. They may be more images or interesting quotes from the story line.

Recycle Your Old Books

2010-08-03T02:09:00.000-07:00

I loved recycling old books into journals. I use the Zutter Bind It All to punch and bind 50 to 100 blank pages between the front and back covers of unwanted books. I also use vintage books that are in bad condition, but have great graphics on the cover. These books could also be put together using standard binding techniques, or even by punching holes and tieing with twine or ribbon.

One of My Favorite Cards

2010-04-17T16:13:00.001-07:00

Being originally from Buffalo NY, I lived only about 7 miles from Niagara Falls. I love incorporating my home town memories into my artwork. This card uses an actual vintage postcard as the background. If you look closely at the WELCOME sign over the photo, you'll see that it actually says " always a friendly Welcome " - just a slightly naughty addition! The ticket is a photocopy of a vintage Niagara Falls hotel room voucher. I'm still not sure if this card will go up for sale or remain in my collection. Click on the card for a better view.

Recycled Embellishments

2010-03-06T16:38:00.000-08:00

You can find all kinds of commercial embellishments to finish that special card, but if you want to be truly unique, bypass the ready made embellishments, and dare to be different. Some of my favorite places to search for one of a kind items for my cards are flea markets and garage sales. They're also the best place to find alterable items.

To create successful art you must see things not as they are, but as they could be. Look for vintage photographs and postcards. You'll be amazed at what people are giving away for almost nothing. Vintage ephemera - newspapers, magazines, books, menus, maps, travel brochures, etc. can all be used in your creations. Don't overlook things like small hardware and jewelry pieces. They can be attached to almost anything. Rip things apart - don't always look at the whole piece - there are some extremely interesting components to other people's "junque". Old games - scrabble, dominoes, mahjong, etc. provide alterable items as well as embellishments. Look for inexpensive books, records (if you're old enough to remember what they are!), boxes, tins, clipboards, picture frames, and anything else that you can recycle.

Some other unusual embellishments that I enjoy working with are cancelled postage stamps (make sure to watch your mail!), flattened bottlecaps, buttons, mesh bags from vegetables, broken jewelry pieces, puzzle pieces, playing cards and fishing items (not the hooks!). Keep your eyes open for any small item and save it - it might come in handy later. Using these types of embellishments will make your cards and other creations truly one of a kind.

One final thought - my rule which I have broken too many times and later regretted it:

If you pick something up twice it better go home with you.

Leave it behind and you'll be sorry later that cheap treasure got away!

2010-02-11T15:21:00.000-08:00

I've been away far too long from my first love in crafting - vintage inspired collage greeting cards. I was looking back at some of the cards I've created and remembered the pleasure I felt when I finished something I was really happy with. Well, here's my first card in over a year.

Enjoy!

All About Paper

2010-02-08T23:51:00.000-08:00

Visit any craft store and you can easily become overwhelmed by the hundreds of papers available for purchase. It's all too easy to become addicted to obtaining everything presented, so I'm going to list the papers I always keep in my inventory. An assortment such as this can easily be all that's required for the majority of your projects.

Plain Quality Cardstock in assorted colors: A basic necessity. I prefer a 110# weight. This is heavy enough to make your own base cards. Why spend $5.00 for 25 precut cards when you can purchase 150 sheets of white cardstock for less than $10.00. It's also used for die cuts, frames, backgrounds, almost anything you can think of. I often print on it.
Patterned Scrapbook Paper: Another required supply. These can be purchased as single sheets or in stacks. Extremely reasonable when purchased in stacks with a 40% off coupon from your local craft store. They come in an unlimited number of themes and colors.
Textured Cardstock: Really important for giving your cards or scrapbook pages a special look. They come in plain colors and in patterns, and often give the impression of fabric rather than paper. I prefer the small 4 1/2" x 6 1/2" stacks because they only need a little trimming to fit perfectly on a card.
Metallic Cardstock: Gives a gorgeous, elegant look to any card or scrapbook page. You can also get matching colored envelopes.
Velum: Use it as an overlay, or for printing.
Parchment Paper: I line all my cards on both interior sides with parchment paper. Makes a perfect letter writing medium or a simple site to stamp a sentiment.

Well, there you have my basic essential papers. But just like everyone else, I have my small stash of non-essentials: handmade paper, mulberry paper, metallic-textured cardstock, glossy paper, corrugated cardstock, etc, etc, etc! And yes, I do use them occasionally. But if you stick with the basics I've listed and add a few of your own favorites as you go along, you won't go wrong!

Calendars into Envelopes

2010-01-17T20:00:00.000-08:00

January, 2010! Time to take down the old calendars and post the new! But don't discard those obsolete calendars... I say turn those pictures into one of a kind envelopes and matching cards. They're fun and easy to make.

Find an envelope you like and open it up to make your a template. Transfer the template to chipboard or plastic and trace around it on your calendar page. Carefully cut and then score the paper for the folds. If your calendar pages are thin you might want to attach them to a duplicate sheet of white recycled paper prior to folding your envelope. (This is especially important if you plan on sending them through the mail.) Glue the envelope together using double sided tape. Use a lick and stick glue for the flap on matte paper and double sided tape on glossy paper. Don't worry if you can't write an address over the picture - just use a plain white adhesive address label. So simple, yet so elegant.

Chances are, you did not use the entire picture for your envelope. Use the leftovers to create a matching card. If you have a large enough piece left, cut it appropriately and mount it on textured cardstock, then on a card that will fit your envie. Otherwise, use a punch for smaller cuts and assemble them in a mosaic arrangement. Use your imagination!

Notebooks from Recycled Materials

2010-01-16T13:56:00.000-08:00

Handmade notebooks are unique and fun to make. It's a great recycling project for almost anyone because there are so many options available. All you need is a suitable recycled front and back cover, paper for the inside pages, and something to hold everything together. This adorable notebook is made from a postcard and a zutter binding.

COVERS: The size of your finished project will determine what you use as the covers. Small notepads can be made from playing cards, board game cards, old photos, postcards, etc. Larger notepads can use covers cut from boxes with great graphics. You can even use thin wood or metal. I like to use plain chipboard for the backs.

PAGES: Your choice! Use recycled paper, handmade paper, parchment paper, cardstock - whatever you have on hand.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: Punch holes in your covers and pages using a hand held punch, hammer punch, or one of the reasonably priced binding system punches for the home crafter: Rollabind or Zutter. If you're not using a binding system, you can start with a simple tied binding using ribbon or twine, or just hold everything together with book rings or o-rings.

Rollabind Binding System
Punch your pages and bind with plastic disks

Zutter Bind It All
Wire binding system.

Sewn Binding Technique
Make or repair books with this easy technique.

Get Ready for Valentine's Day!

2009-12-29T03:09:00.000-08:00

Here's an adorable vintage inspired collage card I just listed on Etsy. It measures 5" x 7" and is mounted on heavy off white cardstock. The phote is a computer generated copy of a vintage postcard. The front of the card is embellished with scrapbook paper, ribbon, brads, and a die cut. The inside is lined with blank parchment paper.

A Different Type of Origami

2009-11-09T15:51:00.000-08:00

I've seen these wonderful towel sculptures while visiting first class hotels on the Travel Channel! But this is the first I've ever seen directions for them! Just may have to try them when I get the chance.

Postcards

2009-09-29T13:28:00.000-07:00

Enjoy these vintage images that I found as postcards at a local flea market. I picked up 15 different postcards which are themselves copyrighted 1990. What a great look into the past! I already have plans for them in some upcoming projects. Stay tuned....

Bee Happy!

2009-08-29T14:55:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share with you a very simple journal I just finished. I covered chipboard with scrapbook paper for the front and back covers and used an off white paper for the pages. The bees are diecuts from O Scrap, and I stamped the quote on plain cardstock, then mounted it on textured cardstock. The binding was done with my new favorite tool - the Zutter Bind-it-All. I'm very pleased with the result and I'll be doing lots more because it was a quick and easy project.

Thrift Store FINDings

2009-08-04T07:03:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just get lucky. Here is just a sample of the bag of jewelry pieces I recently found at my favorite thrift store. They are all vintage pieces of pins and earrings. The great thing is that the backs have already been removed so I don't have to struggle with removing unwanted clips, pins, etc.

I've already been playing.. Here's a couple of magnets I made from 1 1/2" earrings. The vintage images are enclosed in a rollabind disk and sealed with Diamond glaze. The added rhinestone finish them off nicely. I'm very happy with the way they turned out...

Love That Handmade Paper!

2009-07-24T11:12:00.000-07:00

About three years ago I dabbled in making paper from old sewing patterns. It turned out ok, but I knew I could do better if I ever got around to making it again. Well, I was shopping at Michael's a few weeks ago and they were having a clearance sale on all Arnold Grummer's paper making supplies. I couldn't believe the sale prices on the $49 and $69 kits - only $10! Especially since I had just purchase one two weeks prior with a 40% off coupon! I snatched up 2 more of both kits, mainly because if I purchased some of the supplies included, it would cost me more than buying the whole kit! So I've been making paper from my leftover scraps and junk mail, and loving it! So far it's been pretty basic, but soon I'm going to start adding botanicals and embossing. Making paper is easy and fun, and it's always a suprise as to how it turns out. So far I've been using it for journals and cards. Here are some of the results...

The dark background on this card is a piece of my original sewing pattern paper. I stamped the fern on a light green sheet, added a dried fern leaf, and mounted everything on a card made of white paper.

And finally, inside a journal...

The ArtFire - Etsy Debate

2009-07-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

Let me begin by saying that I have shops on both Etsy and ArtFire and I'm in no way trying to promote one selling venue over the other. But I've been reading the forums for quite a while and I'm really suprised at the attitude of many Etsy sellers toward the new ArtFire site. I've read lots of negatives statements concerning ArtFire, mainly low views, no sales, unattractive front page, and poor search options. Does anyone remember the birth of Etsy? Pretty similar, right? ArtFire is still in its infancy. It's still in Beta, which means it's in constant change. Those of us who have started studios realize that and don't expect an immediate influx of buyers rushing to purchase our items from a relatively unknown site. But the word is getting out. Both administration and members are pushing hard to promote the site.

Etsy sellers should welcome this new kid. Competition is not bad. It makes others step back and see if there might be some improvements they could make. There are lots of inovative projects happening on ArtFire. Perhaps Etsy will recognize that sellers respond to improvements. Monopolies become stagnant. Competition encourages companies to become the best that they can be.

ArtFire is just giving us another selling option and if it works for you, great. But if your loyality remains with Etsy, that's ok too. It's a matter of personal choice and neither site should be bad-mouthed for giving it's members an inexpensive storefront to sell our handmade creations and vintage treasures. Your comments are welcome!

Recycled Playing Cards

2009-06-14T22:40:00.000-07:00

One of my latest finds in my thrift store excursions was a deck of Coca-Cola playing cards, used but still in perfect condition. I put them to good use by repurposing them into cute retro notepads. This first example is meant to be used as a keyring - never be without paper in your purse again! There are also lots of other uses. Hang it by your phone with phone numbers..... Or on the kid's backpack.... Or anywhere you need information fast. I have one hanging on my desk with my website passwords!

The next is a notepad bound with Rollabind disks. A perfect little pad to carry with you anywhere. The nice thing about both these items is more paper can be added at any time. Never discard the covers - only the used paper sheets inside!

For more information on making recycled notepads, visit my Squido lens, Re-Creative Crafting.

Recycled Calendars

2009-05-19T02:57:00.000-07:00

Yearly calendars, given away free as advertising, are filled with beautiful images and photos. I've been saving mine for years, but have never really done anything with them. Well, I've finally gotten around to using them for envelopes and matching cards. Here's what I came up with.

For the envelope, I used a template from Green Sneakers, but you can easily make your own template by unfolding an envelope, tracing, and cutting it out from cardboard or plastic sheets. I mounted the photo page on a white paper sheet prior to cutting, as it was slightly smaller than the template. The extra lining also makes the envelope a little stronger if you are sending it throught the mail. The resulting white border on the envelope came out great. Since I had leftovers from the calendar page, I used the same picture to create a matching card. Don't worry about writing an address, just use a white label stuck on the front.

I tried using Lick and Stick glue for the flap, but it didn't stick to the glossy paper. So I'm using clear 1" stickies that I made from a clear plastic sheet and my Xyron.

I love the look of these envelopes and cards. They're fast, easy, and best of all - FUN!

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T18:37:00.000-07:00

Recycled Computer Disks

2009-05-04T22:21:00.000-07:00

I've finally figured out what to do with those obsolete 3 1/2" floppies. They make great little desk calendars. I printed a year's worth of calendars on cardstock and used two metal eyelets to hold them between two disks. The calendars can be used freestanding on a desktop or closed like a book. This is just a basic calendar, but you could stamp images or decorate the pages in any way you'd like. And it's a great way to make use of something that would just be thrown out.

Recycled Postcard Notepad

2009-04-21T16:40:00.000-07:00

Just though I'd share with you another of my recycled items. The cover of this notepad is made from a recycled postcard mounted on chipboard. I used 24lb 50% recycled paper for the pages.

Altered Postcard Notepad

2009-04-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

A while back I was working on altered vintage postcards. I was toying with the idea of making some mini notebooks or journals when it dawned on me I still had a bunch of my postcards. Why not use them for the covers of my journals? Well, here's the result:

The cover is from a computer generated copy of my original altered postcard. It is laminated for protection and mounted on chipboard. The back cover is also chipboard. The binding eyelets allow the book to be folded back on itself for easy writing. The notebook measures approximately 3 1/2" X 5 1/2" and contains 35 pages of parchment paper. I'm really pleased with the way this came out and will surely be using some more of my previous projects for more journals.

A Card for You

2009-04-11T12:49:00.000-07:00

Re-Use, Re-Cycle, Re-Purpose

2009-03-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

Everywhere I go these days I am looking at things in a new perspective. I'm trying to see things not as they are, but as they could be. I'm transforming vintage buttons into pendants. I'm creating magnets from game pieces and vintage findings. I'm saving junk. I'm looking for odd hardware and breaking thrift store china. Why? I want to save unique treasures from the past by crafting them into new usable items. My present project is vintage inspired magnets, using bottle caps, Rollabind disks, and any small piece of interesting recycled treasure. I'm also breaking up china to use in mosaics. And I have plans for old silverware, used Christmas cards, cups and saucers, and more! This mosaic tray is a work in progress made from a wooden thrift store purchased base and broken dinner plates. Once it's grouted and the wood is finished off with a sealer, it will make a great presentation tray.

If you'd like to see some of my newest magnets, read my post about them on All Vintage All the Time. I'd also love to hear about your recycled projects.

Happy St Patrick' s Day

2009-03-17T03:12:00.000-07:00

Glazes

2009-03-10T04:27:00.000-07:00

I've been experimenting with various types of sealers and protectants for my pendants and magnets. I love the look of resin, but I won't use it due to its toxicity and the precise measurements involved. Two products that I have used with acceptable results are UTEE and Diamond Glaze.

I love the shine of UTEE (Ultra thick embossing enamel) and it's quick hardening. Bubbles are easily removed and the resulting surface is very smooth and glass like. It can be reheated and melted again if you're not satisfied with the results. On the downside, it isn't very scratch resistant. There's also a product called UTEE Flex, a resin, which is supposed to be added to melted UTEE to give it more durability. Some of the pendants in which I used this product showed cracking if they were not gently handled. I don't know if this was due to excessive reheating, not enough flex added, or just a brittler product over time.

Diamond Glaze, takes 24 hours to set properly, and continues hardening for days. Tiny bubbles can be a problem if you're a perfectionist like me! Pendants sealed with this product became quite scratch resistant over time. It's not quite as clear as UTEE. They did not have a crystal clear glass like finish.

I tried using UTEE to set the picture in place with a nice glassy coating, then applied a thin layer of Diamond Glaze for it's hardness. I wasn't completely satisfied because of the few tiny bubbles I always ended up with in the Diamond Glaze layer. (I did say I was a perfectionist!) For the present time, I'm just sticking with the UTEE. Any one have any suggestions?

Senior Crafters - This is for You!

2009-02-22T12:19:00.000-08:00

Just in case you're not aware of it - that 1950's profile pic of the cute little kid with the fashionable hat is really me! That being said, I'd like all you senior crafters to take a peak at my brand new blog, Years Don't Count. Writing this blog helps to keep me focused on what I have to do to stay young. Perhaps it will also inspire you to join me in my commitment of living life to the fullest in the next half-century.

New Blue Retro Housewife

2009-02-06T14:57:00.000-08:00

I just love this card....

The inside is color coordinated....

I forgot how cool quikcutz letters look!

More Alice in Wonderland

2009-01-26T07:20:00.000-08:00

Here's another bookmark in my Alice in Wonderland series. The vintage page quote and illustration is mounted on two layers of textured cardstock. The flying pig is rubber stamped and cut out, and the clock is computer generated. I've attached fiber and two beads to complete the piece. This is a favorite of mine - I just love the Walrus's philosophy - click on the photo to get a better read.

Alice Through the Looking Glass

2009-01-20T06:32:00.000-08:00

These are the first two tags in my series of Alice in Wonderland bookmarks. Well, I originally made them as bookmarks, but I think they would also make wonderful tags for scrapbooking. I found a vintage book that was a MacMillan classic, in poor condition for almost nothing, and I'm using it to make these tags. The addition of some printed quotes and chalk ink complete the look. These are quick and fun and there will be lots more on the way.

Flickr Photostream

2009-01-19T12:24:00.000-08:00

I've just joined FLICKR and would love to have you come and see my photostream. As I develop new cards I'll be adding them to my album, so please stop by often!

Organize Your Junk!

2009-01-14T05:51:00.000-08:00

I am definately a saver. I hate to throw away anything that I might be able to use at a later time. This is especially true with all those great patterned papers I've accumulated. So I pulled out my punches and started using all those bits and pieces. It's so much easier to be inspired and create a project when you have your supplies all ready to go! So far I'm into squares, but I will progress on to circles and other shapes. You can pay a ridiculous amount of cash for pre-cut paper and cardstock, but with a few punches and all your scraps they won't cost you a thing. You just need to set aside some time and focus on making your own.

Hand made Vs. Store bought.

Which would you prefer?

Back to Business

2009-01-12T22:29:00.001-08:00

It's been quite some time since I've made any new cards, and I think it's time to get back to business! Here's a new set of cards I just finished. They're all assembled on gold pearlescent cardstock and the greeting is stamped on vellum, then layered over the patterned retro scrapbook paper. While working on these cards, I decided I need some new retro punches or dies, so it looks like I'll be doing more shopping in the near future!

It's Snowing in Vegas!

2008-12-17T15:39:00.000-08:00

I just had to post these pictures I just took. It's been snowing here for about 3 hours now and in the 10 years I've lived here I only saw it snow one other time, and never like this! Sure makes me feel like I'm back home in Buffalo...

We're all a Little Bit Bad!

2008-12-16T12:38:00.000-08:00

Although I love creating new things, I also love a lot of things I've done in the past. Sometimes it's a shame to design a great card, collage or aceo, then put it away or sell it and forget about it! So I've decided to resurrect some of my past favorite altered postcards into new projects. The original postcard was a vintage image that I stamped and decoupaged. I printed the photos I took of those cards, then laminated and attached them to chipboard, thus creating a whole new postcard! The backs are stamped with a postcard stamp. They can truly be sent in the mail, or just saved as a little piece of art. These were fun because I loved the messages they convey, and I'll definately be working on lots more similar projects. These are available on my Etsy site.

"Bad Girls Postcards".....

New Poll for Card Buyers

2008-12-15T18:07:00.000-08:00

I've posted a new poll on The Card Chronicles to help all card designers determine the type of card the buying public wants to see. There's been a lot of discussion on the Etsy forums about single cards vs. multiple card sets. But I also want to know what type of card you're looking for. Please take a look at our poll and cast your vote.

Adopted Ancestors

2008-12-14T11:19:00.000-08:00

I often use vintage photographs in my art and I'm always amazed to find them at garage sales, thrift stores and flea markets. I wonder why anyone would sell these snippets of history. Vintage photos are family treasures that I feel strongly should be preserved and given respect, so I always snatch them up when I see them. I have very few pictures of my grandparents and none at all of my great-grandparents. I don't know if they were lost or destroyed, or if they were too poor to afford the luxury of photographs. Here are some of my adopted ancestors. Oh - and by the way, if you happen to recognize anyone, please let me know!

An Award with a Twist

2008-11-10T16:27:00.000-08:00

I've been honored to receive an I Love Your Blog Award from Jan of Expressive Papers. In accepting this Blog Award I'm required to answer the following questions with ONE WORD. So here are some things you never knew about me....

1. Where is your cell phone? PURSE
2. Where is your significant other? KITCHEN
3. Your hair color? ASH BLONDE
4. Your mother? STRONG
5. Your father? HONEST
6. Your favorite thing? FAMILY
7. Your dream last night? LOST
8. Your dream/goal? BUSINESS OWNER
9. The room you're in? OFFICE
10. Your hobby? CRAFTS
11. Your fear? SLOWING DOWN
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? HERE
13. Where were you last night? HOME
14. What you're not? STUPID
15. One of your wish-list items? RETIREMENT
16. Where you grew up? BUFFALO
17. The last thing you ate? CREAMSICLE
18. What are you wearing? JEANS
19. Your TV? NEW
20. Your pet? HUSKY
21. Your computer? GATEWAY
22. Your mood? CALM
23. Missing someone? MOM
24. Your car? JEEP
25. Something you're not wearing? MAKEUP
26. Favorite store? FRESH n EASY
27. Your summer? HOT
28. Love someone? SURE
29. Your favorite color? YELLOW
30. When is the last time you laughed? TODAY
31. Last time you cried? YESTERDAY

Tag Christmas Card

2008-11-04T04:26:00.000-08:00

Those of you who are familiar with my work know that I always like to do the unusual. Well here's my unique Christmas card for this year. I pulled out my library tag template to make a birthday card and decided it could make a unique Christmas card. The inserted greeting could also be used as an ornament on the holiday tree. I had lots of fun creating this card and plan on experimenting with a few more.

Tag - You're It!

2008-10-15T11:48:00.001-07:00

I've been "tagged" by The Spotted Sparrow, a great artist and papercrafter. Make sure to check out her blog for her projects and tutorials.

Playing tag is a great way to get to know each other and find some really great blogs. The rules of the game are these:
Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.

Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Now for my facts:
1. I'm a baby boomer who still feels like I'm 20 - well, maybe 30!
2. As a young adult I loved "Peter, Paul and Mary" and played folksongs on the guitar.
3. My husband and I moved to Las Vegas, the city that never sleeps, after living a rather conservative life in Buffalo, New York. And just in case your wondering - I'm just a recreational gambler that loses more than I win!
4. As a child, I never had a dog, but since I "growed up" I've always kept Siberian Huskies.
5. I love natural whole foods and could easily become a vegetarian.
6. I love walking, riding my bike and gardening. In Buffalo, I raised all my own vegetables, but here I can only raise cactus!
7. I've always loved creating things, but only started cardmaking and altered art about 10 years ago. It all started when I decided Christmas cards were way too expensive for the quality of the card you got. I made my own one year, and I never stopped.

I've chosen the following bloggers to play the game. Sorry if you've already been tagged - but it just lets us get to know you better!

Expressive Papers
Crafty This and That
Homespun Heaven
Quixotic Cards
Paper Lady Invites
Heart Hugs
Posh Doodles

Custom Mini Envelopes

2008-10-06T07:52:00.000-07:00

Went crazy with cards this weekend - well, not really cards - envelopes! I love these mini envelopes for thank you notes, gift cards or small items. If you want to make your own, find a small envelope you like and open it up to make your own template. Transfer the template to chipboard or plastic and voila - and easy to use template for no cost!

My Newest Project

2008-10-04T20:45:00.000-07:00

I have so many beautiful papers, diecuts and small embellishments that I decided to try my hand at making some mini note cards using these pieces. Now believe it or not, even though I love making cards, I really don't send that many! But I definately think I will be using some of these tiny treasures as gift cards and "thank-yous". I mounted the embossed and inked diecuts on textured cardstock and lined the card with parchment paper. Each card measures 2 3/4" square. I think it's a great way to use some of these under used, highly detailed die cuts.

New Card to Share

2008-10-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

As promised, here is my newest card creation to share with you. My favorite style is collage and my favorite theme is the vintage woman. This is a 5" x 6 7/8" card - large enough for the longest love letter! The collage is mounted on textured cardstock. The pensive woman is a computer generated copy of a vintage postcard. The corner heart is a Spellbinder diecut. I've used a button brad, lace and faux stone lettering for lots of dimension.

Now it's your turn. Leave a comment with the link to your newest creation. We can all use daily inspiration.

World Card Making Day

2008-10-02T07:27:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, October 4th is World Cardmaking Day! Can you believe we actually have a special day to celebrate our passion? Spread the word! Have a sale! Buy something from a new card artist! Post to your blog! Let's all join together and encourage each other. One of the great things about this hobby is that you can easily share your thoughts and ideas. And as much as designing our own cards, we just love to see what other card artists are up to. So get going - I challenge each of you to create a fantastic card to share with us on Saturday. I'll be posting one and I hope everyone who accepts the challenge leaves their posting URL as a comment at that time. Leave the computer for a while and go create!

New Poll - Vote Today!

2008-10-01T10:38:00.000-07:00

The Creative Card Designs (CRCD) Team is conducting a new poll about the use of acid free materials in greeting cards. If you are a handmade card enthusiast and/or buyer, please help us better meet your expectations and needs, by casting your vote today at the Card Chronicles Blog:(http://www.creativecard-designs.blogspot.com/).

Do You Diecut?

2008-09-27T10:50:00.000-07:00

Anyone who uses die cuts probably has more that one machine since there are so many claiming to be the best. I don't have experience with them all, but I always do a lot of research prior to purchasing anything, and I can say with confidence that there is no miracle machine. Each has advantages and disadvantages. I've singled out three as my favorites because each of them has a particular benefit for me. Probably the number one consideration in purchasing any die cutter is cost. There is a wide range of prices starting at about $30 to over $300. For a very reasonable and easy to use die cutter I purchased the Sizzix Sidekick. I think it was actually less than $30 with a 40% off coupon at my local craft store. I bought it mainly because I have a few slimline dies that I love and was having a hard time cutting thick or textured cardstock with them on my more expensive machine. It has proved to be a real time saver for those cuts. I also own a Quickkutz that I use almost exclusively for letters and numbers. The dies are small, very important when using the cuts for cards. It's quick and easy to grab and punch one or two letters. However, my favorite die cutter is the Spellbinder Wizard. There is a lot of controversy over this machine. You either love it or hate it. It's expensive and it's a little tricky to operated properly, as it's not as automated as the other cutters. And it takes a little thought to get your "sandwiches" set up correctly. But the wizard has the most beautiful embossed diecuts I have ever seen. It can cut using almost any die, embosses using Fiskar plates, flattens bottle caps, sets eyelets and snaps, flattens polymer clay, photo transfers, and lots more. I admit I haven't used the machine for all purposes, but knowing I could is good enough for me!!

Now why did I decide to focus on die cutters today? Because I found the best bargain ever at a garage sale this weekend. I've already said that you either love the Wizard or hate it. Well, I found someone who hated it - and I purchased a brand new machine with all the accessories for $10.00. The orginal machine I bought cost me over $100.00 and each replacement plate runs about $8.00. You know I'm a happy crafty camper!

Vintage Medicine - Oh My!

2008-09-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

I've worked in the medical field for 40 years and have a small collection of old medical ephemera. I love reading the old medical almanacs from the 1920's to 1950's. The almanacs were actually printed by companies in an effort to sell their medicines, and distributed by drugstores and pharmacies. And what medicines they were! My newest creation is a magnet from an advertisement in the 1939 Jaynes's Almanac for vermifuge for roundworms! Basically, the entire booklet educated the reader on the symptoms and horrors of this parasite. I have no idea whether the medicine worked, but found the reading quite amusing. The advertisement is mounted on heavy chipboard, sealed with mod podge, edged in copper foil tape, and has a full magnetic back. It measures 2 1/2" square. I had a lot of fun with this; I think I'll be doing some more in the near future.

Thrifty Craft Shopping

2008-09-16T15:54:00.000-07:00

I've discovered a new store for purchasing brand name craft supplies at discount prices. It's none other than my local Big Lots ! I stop in every time I pass by. You just never know what you're going to find or when new shipments arrive. My latest purchases were McGill giant punches at just $4 each. I bought six - library folders, ticket stubs, file folders, tags, and 2 types of envelopes. Even if I use them only a couple of times they will pay for themselves! I also found some K&Company metallic cards with envelopes in holiday colors that retail for $6, for $1.88 each. I bought them all. Now I'm ready for Christmas. They usually also have embellishments, ribbons, scrapbook paper, and sometimes even some Martha Stewart stuff at highly discounted prices! Just a couple of warnings - if you see something you think you might use, don't think you can come back for it later. It'll be gone! You also have to remember, shopping here is addicting, so don't expect to go once and forget it. The great prices will bring you back over and over again!

Vintage Car Notecards

2008-09-01T09:03:00.000-07:00

I found some really great photos of vintage muscle cars and went out of my comfort zone a bit to create some notecards for the vintage car fanatics. I mounted the computer generated photos on metallic and textured cardstock, then mounted them on foam for dimension. The four embellishments are pewter colored eyelets. I love the way these cards turned out!

Reverse Creativity

2008-08-21T17:56:00.000-07:00

My normal process of designing a card starts with a general idea I want to communicate, followed by a search for pictures, embellishments, and quotes to represent that theme. Too often, I end up printing out an entire collage sheet for just one picture. While attempting to organize my craft supplies this past week, I decided I had way to many pictures just gathering dust. So I decided to change my thinking process and started designing some cards in reverse. I found a picture that I totally loved, but had no idea what to do with. I mounted it on coordinating scrapbook paper and textured card, then I found an appropriate quote. So far, so good, but it definately needed to be embellished. A search through my supplies found some great additions to the theme, and Voila... Here's the results of my reverse creativity! It was a fun personal challenge to take an object, in this case the picture of the dancer, and force myself to develop it into a beautiful and unique creation.

Guy Cards

2008-08-18T19:31:00.001-07:00

My guess would be that about 70% of handmade cards can be sent only to a woman, maybe 25% can be sent to either sex, and only about 5% are made specifically with the man in mind. Today I'd like to share with you a few of my favorite "guy cards." Sometimes it's quite a challenge to design cards for the men, but they're really quite fun and you can use themes that you just can't use on a woman's card. Think about sports, fishing, TV (I recommend the Three Stooges!), motorcycles, cars, etc. as themes and make sure to use a suitable color scheme. Stay away from flowers and cutesy animals. Old vintage photos are great to use. Just don't be afraid to try something "completely different". The guys will love you for it.

Storing Your Unmounted Stamps

2008-08-09T11:09:00.000-07:00

I love my unmounted stamps, and tried every storage solution I could think of that wouldn't cost a fortune. This is my method for storage and I think it works great. I take old CD holders (you can also buy them rather cheaply at a computer supply store) and remove the inside plastic that holds the CD. The unmounted stamps then lay perfectly inside. You can store them in a CD tower or stick them in a drawer. You can see exactly what is in each plastic cassette. Another tip: if you don't know how to make unmounteds stick to your acrylic block, just use Aleene's TACK-IT and you can stick and remove all you want. When you're done stamping, stick it back in its plastic holder. I don't even use a foam backing for my stamps. I just do my stamping on a computer mouse pad. It doesn't matter if the foam is between the stamp and the block, or on the bottom... it works the same way.

My New Etsy Store

2008-07-28T18:56:00.000-07:00

If you like using vintage and unusual items in your projects, check out my new Etsy Store, Thrift Store Supplies. I'm always on the search for discarded treasures to use in my creations and now I will be offering some to you at very reasonable prices.

Lest We Forget...

2008-07-26T12:51:00.000-07:00

I was in somewhat of a reflective mood this morning and came up with this thought provoking card called "Time Travel". I am quite involved in family genealogy, and my ancestors settled in Buffalo, New York from Germany, so this card really comes from the heart. My purpose in creating the card was to let the recipient stop for a few moments and reflect on where they came from and where they're going.

Some of my Favorite Craft Blogs

2008-07-22T14:03:00.000-07:00

I love surfing the craft blogs. Here are 3 of my recently discovered favorites:

A Time 4 Art A little bit of everything - altered art, atc's, postcards, tags, etc, etc, etc. - all with a vintage flair!

Paper Cat's Page Altered art, more postcards, collage and more!

The Best of DIY Links to totally awesome tutorials for the crafter.

Related post: Introducing "Just Blogs"

Mother Earth's Children TAGS

2008-07-15T11:07:00.001-07:00

I discovered a wonderful child's book at a thrift store and just had to use the pictures for something! I made sturdy chipboard tags, then used old Farmer's almanac pages covered in mulberry paper as the background. The pics of the plant children and the quotes were copied from the book. I then added ribbon and an old print-like picture of the apple and strawberry and finished them off with a fiber hanger. I like these a lot and plan on creating more from the many plates in Mother Earth's Children: The Frolics of the Fruits and Vegetables.

Latest Treasure Hunt Finds...

2008-07-02T22:39:00.000-07:00

Ah - Scrabble tiles - a versatile little piece of wood! I always pick up games when I find them at thrift stores or garage sales. I don't care what the box or the board looks like - I only want the tiles! But yesterday I hit the jackpot - I found a deluxe edition that contains maroon tiles! They will be the perfect addition to my vintage style cards. Most likely, I'll save these tiles to use just as they are. My brown wooden tiles which are much more easily found, will be the ones I'll use for decoupage or stamping, or altering in any way. I also picked up a bag of dominoes. Along with the large plastic ones I use for pendants, there are also a number of dark brown wooden ones. There is a Chinese dragon embossed into the wood. I foresee something new and exiting over the horizon! I can't wait to get started using these little beauties. My next search will be for vintage buttons - not the cheap plastic rip-offs you find today - but the little treasures made of bakelite, bone and ivory I remember in my mothers button box many years ago.........

Vintage Friendship Challenge Card

2008-06-18T18:54:00.000-07:00

I want to share with you my newest card developed for my recent card challenge group. The theme was easy enough.. "Friendship", but as usual, I wanted to do something completely out of the ordinary. The resulting card combines vintage elements with a beautiful quote. I think the card portrays a peaceful, sweet and sincere sentiment perfect for any special friend.

I LOVE LUCY!

2008-05-26T19:33:00.000-07:00

I'm a big fan of Lucille Ball - her comedy and her philosphy on life. So I came up with these two cards using stamped images of Lucy and a couple of her famous quotes. The stamps are available from The Stampsmith which carries a wonderful line of vintage photo stamps. Click on the cards to get a better view and read Lucy's wonderful attitude about life.

A Memorial Day Thought

2008-05-26T08:22:00.001-07:00

Memorial Day .. the beginning of summer for many of us, but let us not forget the purpose of this holiday. Let us pay tribute to all those who have served our country and given their lives so that we may have the freedom offered by our great nation. A big THANK YOU to all our service men and women, past and present.

Retro Mother's Day Cards

2008-04-15T12:19:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is coming and I'd like to share with you 2 of my retro mother's day cards. I had such a fun time creating these cards - the sentiments are so true!

The pictures of the Moms are computer generated from a purchased CD. To the first I added lots of vintage ephemera - I use all copies, not originals - and buttons. Then I stamped "lifetime of love". The second card is mounted on textured cardstock. The mom's quotes are stamped on parchment paper. A few embellishments and a Thank You raised sticker complete the card. Both cards could be used for other occasions such as a birthday or just to say you care.

"Altered Canines"

2008-03-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

I've started a new line of altered dominoes I call "Altered Canines". They're made from large 1" x 2" x 3/8" dominoes which are first colored with alcohol inks. Then they're stamped, fixed, and sealed with acrylic sealer. Some have eyerings, and some have attached wire bails or chains. They can be used as a pendant, or attached to a pin or keyring. Presently I'm limited in breeds to German Shepherd, Great Dane, Dalmation, and Siberian Husky, but I will be increasing my inventory shortly. If you have a breed you'd like to see, send me an email - cardsbypatzee@embarqmail.com. You can find more examples at my Etsy shop but don't forget to look in my sold items, because they go fast.

Frugal - Not CHEAP!!! Frequent local Garage Sales....

2008-03-13T19:18:00.000-07:00

Craft stores are filled with thousands of cardmaking embellishments. You can usually find anything you want to finish that special card. But if you want to be truly unique, bypass the ready made embellishments, and dare to be different. Some of my favorite places to search for one of a kind items for my cards are flea markets and garage sales. They're also the best place to find alterable items. Look for vintage photographs and postcards. You'll be amazed at what people are giving away for almost nothing. Vintage ephemera - newspapers, magazines, books, menus, maps, travel brochures, etc. can all be used in your creations. Don't overlook things like small hardware and jewelry pieces. They can be attached to almost anything. Rip things apart - don't always look at the whole piece - there are some extremely interesting components to other people's "junque". Old games - scrabble, dominoes, mahjong, etc. provide alterable items as well as embellishments. Look for inexpensive books, records (if you're old enough to remember what they are!), boxes, tins, clipboards, picture frames, and anything else that you can recycle. To create successful altered art you must see things not as they are, but as they could be. One final thought - my rule which I have broken too many times and regretted it: If you pick something up twice it better go home with you. You'll be sorry later that cheap treasure got away!

Attention All Animal Lovers!!

2008-02-29T20:53:00.000-08:00

I've just uploaded March's themed cards to JUST CARDS. Being an animal lover myself, many of my cards reflect the relationship of pets and their people. You'll find dogs, cats, pigs and cows in this unusual collection.

First Try Mini Collage Pendant

2008-02-15T13:46:00.000-08:00

What's so difficult about a mini collage pendant? A LOT ! Oh my gosh, this is so much harder than you would think! I have a whole box of mahjong tiles and I thought I try my hand at using them in a little pendant. Well, my little project ended up taking me hours to finish. I used a cut CD for the base, stamped and coated with ultra thick embossing enamel. Then I used diamond glaze to hold the watch parts in place and drilled some holes for my wire. The mahjong tile is stamped with alcohol inks and versafine blank ink, then coated in diamond glaze. Then I added a few embellishments, giving the front a better look, but the back looked terrible. So I cut a piece of foam to size and glued it on with E6000. At this point I had to decide on a pin or a pendant. In the future when I see these little works of art I surely will better appreciate the work that goes into them.

Altered Postcards

2008-01-29T01:59:00.000-08:00

Postcards do not usually come to mind when one thinks of altered art, but they are one of my favorite mediums. Lots of people who do "altered postcards" simply take a PC, white it out, and make their own. In my opinion, that is not altering, but re-using. I prefer to take a card and alter the theme. White out with gesso only the areas you want to change, then decoupage or stamp the card. Of course, if you're using a rare or vintage card, use a copy for your altering rather than the original. You'll end up with a unique card to send or to frame.

Link to the Past

2008-01-24T16:06:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine sent me some vintage photos she had acquired of her ancestors. She has no idea as to the identity of this child in this photo, but as soon as I saw it I knew it would make a wonderful card. These two cards make me laugh every time I look at them. What a wonderful link to the past. Just seeing an old photo like this makes you stop and think about this little guy's life and what the future held for him. Little did he know this anonymous photo would bring so much joy so many years in the future.

Both these cards are available on ETSY.

Vintage Niagara Falls

2008-01-16T13:03:00.001-08:00

Just thought I'd share with you a card I recently finished reminding me of home. Although I live in Las Vegas, I am originally from a town just outside of Buffalo, NY. Grand Island, NY is an island situated in the Niagara River between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, so I am very familiar with this awesome natural wonder. We were even able to see the mist of the falls from our home - about 7 miles away! If any of you are from Western New York I'd love to hear from you.

More Tags....

2008-01-08T02:50:00.001-08:00

Simple - sassy - sentimental. These tags are made from decoupaged laminate chip samples. The hardest part is matching the picture with the words!

A New Tag to Share.

2008-01-05T10:10:00.000-08:00

I love, love, love this tag! It's created on a laminate sample chip and decoupaged. I have never made tags before, but I like the way this came out so well that I'm inspired to do more. If interested, it's listed on ETSY.

Resolutions for 2008 --- AGAIN !

2008-01-01T09:12:00.000-08:00

So what's on your list this year? Here's some suggestions every crafter can relate to:

Complete all unfinished projects from last year. Oh, yeah, you know what I'm talking about! "I'll get to that as soon as I try this new technique I heard about"... sure !
Pull out some of the old tools that were so hot when they were introduced that you just had to have one! You'll be surprised what you can still do with them.
Toss out or give away anything you haven't used or even thought about last year. Ok..maybe 2 years, since we crafters are notorious pack-rats.
Make a resolution to go out of your comfort zone and try something daring or something you've been thinking about for a long time.
CLEAN your studio. This should probably be #1. And at least try to clean up after every project. It will be easier to start working again later on.
And finally - take advantage of the great sales at your local craft store this month and buy something FUN! Then use it.

A NEW THEME - JUST ALICE!

2007-12-11T06:43:00.000-08:00

Do you like "Alice in Wonderland?" Take a look at two of my new creations. It's nice to work with Alice because everything is strange and not what it seems. So you have a free range of creativity for your projects. I've done pendants, cards, and magnets, but this theme could even be incorporated into a little girls scrapbook page. By the way, did you know that Alice Through the Looking Glass was actually a satire on the British government at the time it was written?

New Altered Domino Magnets

2007-12-01T13:48:00.000-08:00

I've just listed some beautiful new magnets on Ebay and Etsy. They are made from dominoes and scrabble tiles. The dominoes have been inked with alcohol inks, and the scrabble tiles act as tiny little frames for vintage women pics. Each has a paper and/or fabric flower. The photos really don't do these magnets justice; they are much more beautiful in real life.

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL

2007-11-20T14:20:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't posted in quite a while. It's been a busy time of year for me and my creative processes seem to be on hold. Today I'd like to talk a little bit about altered game pieces, one of my favorite things to work with. Dominoes and Mah-jong pieces are great for magnets and pendants. The pendants can be used as a decorative clothing accessory, as book fobs on book thongs, as key chain charms, and lots of other ingenious items. They can be stamped, decoupaged, drilled, glued, etc, etc, etc. You're only limited by your own imagination. I also use the plastic Rummicube game tiles as magnets and embellishment for cards. (they're much lighter in weight) Scrabble tiles can also be used as small charms or embellishments. I've also found some 1 1/2" round wooden discs from some game which can also be altered any way you like. And no, you don't have to buy a new game to get some of these pieces. Mine all come from thrift and second hand shops where you can usually find them at great prices. So keep your eyes open, but don't be stealing from the kid's toys! Check out my gallery to see some of my altered art pieces.

ALTERED CD's

2007-10-08T07:17:00.000-07:00

Don't know what to do with all those old and free CD's you have? Alter them! Here's an example of what you can do. Just use them as a blank canvas as you would any other medium. You'll have a piece of art thats suitable for gift giving or for display.

Cards for Pets and their People

2007-10-01T17:05:00.000-07:00

Have you ever sent a birthday card to a dog or cat? Or a pet sympathy card to show someone you care about their loss? I often create special cards for pet and animal lovers. Check out these cards... Enjoy them here, and if you like them, please consider sending a pet greeting card the next time a special occasion comes around. These cards are available now at http://www.cardsbypatzee.etsy.com. Custom orders are also available.

Keep It Neat and Tidy!

2007-09-08T08:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been spending the last few days cleaning my craft room. What a disaster! Papers, ink, stamps, ribbon, charms, etc, etc, etc, all over the place! Now I know I have that photo - but where? And where are my favorite scissors? Ok - it's time. My creativity is being stifled by this mess. Time to organize. I'm fortunate enough to have my own craft room, but unless I keep it neat and tidy, it isn't very inviting. This is what it should look like!

Yes, it's true - When you have a nice neat organized place to work you can concentrate on what you want to do and not on what you're looking for. Your space doesn't have to be large or strictly devoted to crafting, as long as your crafting supplies are in quick reach. Many crafters simply use the kitchen or dining room table for their work space, and then it is even more important to have your stuff in some type of containers, legibly labeled, so you can take anything you need to your work table before you start. So get going, look around, and see how you can improve your workshop.

New Collage and Tips for Your Work

2007-08-25T13:16:00.000-07:00

If you're familiar with my work, you know that most of my creations are greeting cards made with vintage photos. Well, since most of my cards are collages, anyway, I've decided to start making 5" x 7" collages along the same themes. Here's the first that I have listed on Ebay. It was so much fun that I'm already planning the next one! It really isn't all that difficult to put these together. Just be sure to stick to a theme. I've seen attempts at collage that have absolutely no cohesiveness - just bits of this and that thrown together. In this collage I've chosen to highlight the color purple (my favorite) and the glamour of times past. And don't get carried away by incorporating too much stuff into your piece. Sometimes less is more, so when you're satisfied with the look, STOP. And finally, it helps to have some way to display your work, either with a stand or a ribbon for hanging.