tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11685091484865896502024-03-12T19:23:36.209-06:00Joshua Jiraffe Designs"Here’s to Blogging (For me a new frontier)...I look forward to this voyage and its continuing mission: to explore the world of paper crafting, to seek out new friends, to boldly go where others have gone before...but most of all, to have fun!"Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-71214893148798936562009-11-19T20:38:00.004-07:002009-11-19T20:52:48.254-07:00Lucy's Challenge...I have problems with the html keystrokes for adding a link, site, photo, etc.<br /><br />I see that Lucy's blog link didn't make it through in my last post, so I'm giving it another go...and keeping my finger's crossed.<br /><br />So...you can find Lucy's challenge over at <a href=" http://hedgehogsandladybirds.blogspot.com/2009/11/lucys-cards-challenge-1.html">Lucy's Cards</a>.Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-41563878649682856072009-11-19T08:14:00.021-07:002009-11-19T20:55:29.749-07:00Lucy’s Color ChallengeOh well…<br /><br />I probably inadvertently disqualified myself from Lucy’s first color challenge, which you can find <a href="http://www.blogger.com/”">here </a>by not thinking...and adding glitter.<br /><br />It wasn’t until after I added the glitter that I realized…uh oh.<br /><br />And this was my second attempt.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwXVsI6LV4I/AAAAAAAABD0/reG0WBafcGI/s1600/DSCN5283.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405961882010605442" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwXVsI6LV4I/AAAAAAAABD0/reG0WBafcGI/s320/DSCN5283.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">[full sun photo]</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwXVsUehOjI/AAAAAAAABD8/8HK3WcmZrf8/s1600/DSCN5285.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405961885115824690" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwXVsUehOjI/AAAAAAAABD8/8HK3WcmZrf8/s320/DSCN5285.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">[same card with no direct sunlight]</span><br /><br />I had just finished my first card (below)...when I realized...I had printed the sentiment onto "white" card stock.<br /><br />Sigh...<br /><br />Also, you'll notice a big "boo-boo" on the card in the first two photos...I "glittered" the waves and not the sand!<br /><br />That's what I get for trying to be cute.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwXVs0MZ0AI/AAAAAAAABEE/4dq0KUWe9ZA/s1600/DSCN5281.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405961893629775874" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwXVs0MZ0AI/AAAAAAAABEE/4dq0KUWe9ZA/s320/DSCN5281.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Both cards were made using one of my original drawings I made in MS Word. I use the “free form” line drawing tool. I also made the tree trunk free-hand.<br /><br />I’ve been having fun playing with drawing in MS Word.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwXVq70zXDI/AAAAAAAABDk/aRumCs1qxp4/s1600/DSCN5277.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 262px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405961861318532146" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwXVq70zXDI/AAAAAAAABDk/aRumCs1qxp4/s320/DSCN5277.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Original drawings by joshuajiraffe designs<br /></span><br />Both my hubby and my teenager son tell me that I should use Paint, but I haven’t quite figured that one out…yet.<br /><br />Anyway…I’ve been using some of my original drawings on cards for the upcoming craft bazaar at the University …figuring they might appeal to the young college set.<br /><br />Thanks for checking in…and thanks, Lucy, for a fun challenge.<br /><br /><div></div>Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-9422617238421564722009-11-18T00:18:00.002-07:002009-11-18T00:23:07.362-07:00My Wyoming…My take on…a Wyoming holiday greeting card.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOgXpi_cQI/AAAAAAAABDU/lRubwVcb_Uo/s1600/DSCN5214.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405340305924780290" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOgXpi_cQI/AAAAAAAABDU/lRubwVcb_Uo/s320/DSCN5214.JPG" /></a><br /><br />This is actually my depiction of what I see when I look out my front door…snow capped mountains in the distance.<br /><br />There is a school directly across the street from our house, which somewhat blocks the view but I can still see the snowcaps from my living room window.<br /><br />When taking my son to school, this is what we see…minus the evergreens and the deer, which are “Dress it up” buttons.<br /><br />Thanks for peeking…Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-68506674509085451952009-11-17T23:31:00.007-07:002009-11-18T00:10:43.606-07:00A few simple things...A few simple things I’ve been working on for the craft bazzar.<br /><br />I love covering these little shaker boxes. I prefer ribbon, but paper works just as well.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOchEIfPdI/AAAAAAAABDM/a3vcon-En4Y/s1600/DSCN5217.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405336069633686994" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOchEIfPdI/AAAAAAAABDM/a3vcon-En4Y/s320/DSCN5217.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I saw the idea a few years ago in “Living” and have made them ever since.<br /><br />Sometimes I fill them with homemade treats for teacher’s gifts or give them as tree ornaments.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOcgjgZEII/AAAAAAAABDE/byvMOf_pxKo/s1600/DSCN5222.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405336060875575426" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOcgjgZEII/AAAAAAAABDE/byvMOf_pxKo/s320/DSCN5222.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Thought I’d make a few with some non- traditional x-mas colors and a more masculine bent for the craft fair.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwObiZXTGqI/AAAAAAAABC8/00_cq5Zq9xY/s1600/DSCN5253.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405334993001192098" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwObiZXTGqI/AAAAAAAABC8/00_cq5Zq9xY/s320/DSCN5253.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwObh0GygUI/AAAAAAAABC0/3BElA3wxxbw/s1600/DSCN5254.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405334982999834946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwObh0GygUI/AAAAAAAABC0/3BElA3wxxbw/s320/DSCN5254.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I also like to color and decorate the insides with paper and ribbon.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOapP4oX_I/AAAAAAAABCs/PZDrLQvKAY4/s1600/DSCN5221.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405334011204100082" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOapP4oX_I/AAAAAAAABCs/PZDrLQvKAY4/s320/DSCN5221.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOao9BlOwI/AAAAAAAABCk/Tl8V9RA6fWk/s1600/DSCN5256.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405334006141369090" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOao9BlOwI/AAAAAAAABCk/Tl8V9RA6fWk/s320/DSCN5256.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><div><br />Some of the first cards I ever made where these little gift tags.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOYKVgRD-I/AAAAAAAABCc/1A6XoRDZ8Q8/s1600/DSCN5262.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405331281113321442" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOYKVgRD-I/AAAAAAAABCc/1A6XoRDZ8Q8/s320/DSCN5262.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I think the little penguins might be old Debbie Mum stickers…I’ve had them for a long time.<br /><br />I just added ribbon and mittens from a package of “Dress it up” holiday buttons.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOYJ_rU-vI/AAAAAAAABCU/1zKQlGbZQvk/s1600/DSCN5261.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405331275254135538" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOYJ_rU-vI/AAAAAAAABCU/1zKQlGbZQvk/s320/DSCN5261.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Recently, I’ve taken to drawing my own creations in MS Word Art.<br /><br />This was drawn using the freeform line art in MS Word. I just added some flowers I punched out of cardstock.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOYJADb2DI/AAAAAAAABCM/8DvZRMEMOZo/s1600/DSCN5239.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405331258175379506" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOYJADb2DI/AAAAAAAABCM/8DvZRMEMOZo/s320/DSCN5239.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Original drawing by joshuajiraffe designs</span></div><div><br />One day I might like to try and turn these drawings into rubber stamps.<br /><br />Another card I made using another one of my own freeform creations drawn and colored in Word Art.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOWgbzSIKI/AAAAAAAABCE/8AtaCJAavJI/s1600/DSCN5115.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405329461737562274" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOWgbzSIKI/AAAAAAAABCE/8AtaCJAavJI/s320/DSCN5115.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Original drawings by joshuajiraffe designs</span></div><div><br />The penguin and tree are from a package of “Dress it up” buttons.<br /><br />This last card was made using some MS stamps and more “Dress it up” buttons.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOWf2tZIyI/AAAAAAAABB8/kYG-eI0p4hE/s1600/DSCN5227.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 247px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405329451780743970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SwOWf2tZIyI/AAAAAAAABB8/kYG-eI0p4hE/s320/DSCN5227.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Thanks for stopping by… </div>Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-80146499253812964562009-11-17T23:01:00.006-07:002009-11-17T23:27:38.763-07:00A Slow realization...Ahem…it’s been a while. <br /><br />At least I can finally say that our house is (mostly) in order now. <br /><br />Also, I’ve been posting to my other Blog about our move and adventures westward. <br /><br />I signed up for a craft show (my first), which is in two weeks. <br /><br />I need…product, product, product, which I mostly don’t have but have been busy working on.<br /><br />I’ve also been struggling with something as of late. <br /><br />I’ve slowly come to the realization that my paper crafting doesn’t really seem to fit with what other paper crafters are doing.<br /><br />Everyone is moving forward...using the latest products and techniques, while I seem to remain in place.<br /><br />Maybe it has to do with the long 6-7 months that it's taken to pack up our home, move and get settled in our new house. <br /><br />So I’ve stayed away, trying to figure out what to do…what I want to do.<br /><br />I thought of taking on another persona…another blog…but I’ve decided to stick with who I am, at least for the time being. <br /><br />And to admit…that I do simple. <br /><br />In fact, I like simple. <br /><br />Maybe it’s boring. <br /><br />Maybe it’s plain. <br /><br />Maybe it’s a throwback to the style that we all started with…simple, plain and unadorned. <br /><br />But it’s what I do best. <br /><br />I think. <br /><br />I’ve found that something chemical happens to me when I participate in a card…color…sketch…challenge.<br /><br />I’ve even talked it over with the husband…who would prefer to have his fingernails pulled out rather than talk “crafts.”<br /><br />I recently told him…“somehow I lose myself when trying to create for a challenge. I create with my brain rather than from my heart.”<br /><br />And…I usually end up not liking what I’ve created. <br /><br />The husband, definitely not the warm and fuzzy type when it comes to my craft works, listened and offered up this gem…<br /><br />“It’s simple…forget about what other people are doing and just make the kind of cards you like.”<br /><br />Hmm…I thought I was doing that. <br /><br />But upon reflection, I realized the husband...is right.<br /><br />Whenever I enter a challenge, two things happen…<br /><br />I forget about what I like and do best, and <br /><br />I try to become “someone else.” <br /><br />And I fail miserably at it.<br /><br />Or maybe it’s more like what a good friend shared recently. <br /><br />She was bemoaning how she resents things that take time away from her creative pursuits, but then added…”but the honest truth is I like to dream of those things more than actually doing them.” <br /><br />Hmmm…<br /><br />Don’t get me wrong. <br /><br />I love to sit and peruse the latest craft magazines or sit at the computer visiting blog sites offering yummy card goodness.<br /><br />I ooh. <br /><br />I aah. <br /><br />I drool over the latest techniques and products and what the rock star paper crafters are doing and creating and the world they open to the likes of me. <br /><br />I envision creating cards…like them.<br /><br />But it’s not me…or at least not me at the moment. <br /><br />Like my friend, maybe I much prefer the reading and the “dream” of doing those things…rather than the actual doing. <br /><br />Maybe it’s simply that I am a “hand’s on” visual learner…I need to see, feel, touch and see a technique, otherwise I'm disappointed in how my attempts, or as is more often the case, don't turn out.<br /><br />Don’t know if that makes sense, but there it is. <br /><br />I may change one day. <br /><br />I hope I do. <br /><br />But until then, I’ll continue to do what…I think…I do best. <br /><br />Simple.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping in…Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-57721039484488100472009-10-15T23:02:00.007-06:002009-10-15T23:16:58.808-06:00Just for Ewe…<div>Another simple card I'll be making more of for the December market bazaar…<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/StgAWyCAryI/AAAAAAAABB0/_S7wCu6rYpA/s1600-h/DSCN4767.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393060945163497250" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/StgAWyCAryI/AAAAAAAABB0/_S7wCu6rYpA/s400/DSCN4767.JPG" /></a><br />I love this Ewe stamp but haven’t played with it in a long while.<br /><br />I found this sketch over at <a href="http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/">2 Sketches 4 You</a> , but was too late to play along.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/StgAWJbUD9I/AAAAAAAABBs/gXFQSU2txwk/s1600-h/bedroommain+(4).JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 393px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393060934263771090" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/StgAWJbUD9I/AAAAAAAABBs/gXFQSU2txwk/s400/bedroommain+(4).JPG" /></a><br /><br />I liked the sketch so much I decided it would be perfect for my very simple little “Thank Ewe” card.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping in… </div>Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-1996071780202522172009-10-15T22:34:00.007-06:002009-10-15T22:45:16.433-06:00These boots...Very simple and unadorned set of coasters I made using the enhanced background technique by Jennifer McGuire for the 2Peas Fall Stamp Camp, which you can find on Jennifer’s blog <a href="http://jennifermcguireink.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/10/fall-stamp-camp-week-2-video-on-backgrounds.html">here</a>. Check it out…very cool technique.<br /><br />I bought some glass coasters years ago from Sally Foster to give to the grandparents…the kind where you put photos in little sleeves on the backside.<br /><br />I had this extra set that I didn’t want to toss because…well…everything has crafting potential.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Stf5DvVL0xI/AAAAAAAABBk/BCzklvora-0/s1600-h/DSCN4760.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393052921439703826" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Stf5DvVL0xI/AAAAAAAABBk/BCzklvora-0/s400/DSCN4760.JPG" /></a><br />I’m getting ready for a craft fair in early December to be held at the University and figure I need items that might appeal to college students, and since we’re in the West, thought I’d use this boot stamp I have.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Stf5DIsCKqI/AAAAAAAABBc/vrkU-4rYAaU/s1600-h/DSCN4761.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393052911066557090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Stf5DIsCKqI/AAAAAAAABBc/vrkU-4rYAaU/s400/DSCN4761.JPG" /></a><br />They’re coasters, so can’t really embellish with bling. But they could also be made into little hanging frames.<br /><br />Thanks for peeking….Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-18741845194787312032009-10-10T14:36:00.004-06:002009-10-10T14:42:51.507-06:00HA Paper Piecing challengeI’ve said this before (and I seriously need to alter the situation so I don’t have to repeat it again), but I don’t have many Hero Arts Stamps. In particular, I don’t have many that are conducive to paper piecing.<br /><br />So I used this one (Five Big Candles), which I really, really like…<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/StDxRbOv8qI/AAAAAAAABBU/-NPnib0-Ci4/s1600-h/DSCN4694.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 273px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391074035632173730" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/StDxRbOv8qI/AAAAAAAABBU/-NPnib0-Ci4/s320/DSCN4694.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I’m not sure if this qualifies as paper piecing, but…<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/StDw9miMeEI/AAAAAAAABBM/rCu6SJVmRVY/s1600-h/DSCN4654.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 272px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391073695069141058" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/StDw9miMeEI/AAAAAAAABBM/rCu6SJVmRVY/s320/DSCN4654.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I decided to follow the color scheme on the front of the stamp and stamped each candle onto a different color of cardstock. The flames were all stamped onto yellow cardstock.<br /><br />I added brads and sprinkles and these little wire thingies I bought at AC Moore when I still lived in Virginia and had all these craft stores available to me…sigh!<br /><br />I also added a piece of lovely purple and lime polka dot ribbon by Basic Basic that I love, but otherwise, I decided to kept it very simple.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by…Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-23647275190626651232009-10-09T13:35:00.012-06:002009-10-09T14:00:47.751-06:00Caardvark’s “Take A Bow” ReduxI absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE working with ribbon.<br /><br />I have tons of holiday ribbon that I bought on sale last year back in Virginia, specifically for making holiday tags and cards.<br /><br />Last year I made several sets of (ribbon wrapped) holiday napkin ring holders that I saw in Martha Stewart's Holiday issue of “Living” and gave them as holiday gifts.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ss-VeCjQvbI/AAAAAAAABBE/8zz6qEwqmSw/s1600-h/DSCN4666.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390691622299155890" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ss-VeCjQvbI/AAAAAAAABBE/8zz6qEwqmSw/s320/DSCN4666.JPG" /></a><br /><br />You wrap ribbon around empty round fabric tubes (toilet paper and paper towel tubes, as suggested by MS, are just too flimsy).<br /><br />I’m making a set of green ruffled napkin holders for an artsy friend, and thought, hmmm…<br /><br />they might just work as a tree ornament or…<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ss-UtN1_WrI/AAAAAAAABA8/Y_HcjHJjEbQ/s1600-h/DSCN4663.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390690783516908210" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ss-UtN1_WrI/AAAAAAAABA8/Y_HcjHJjEbQ/s320/DSCN4663.JPG" /></a><br /><br />for a holiday gift wine bottle collar!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ss-UDZZ6yEI/AAAAAAAABA0/p6LSdojux9c/s1600-h/DSCN4671.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390690065065887810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ss-UDZZ6yEI/AAAAAAAABA0/p6LSdojux9c/s320/DSCN4671.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Close up of the ribbon wine collars…<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ss-TZA3Rb7I/AAAAAAAABAs/kP8cjde5jNs/s1600-h/DSCN4673.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390689336923615154" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ss-TZA3Rb7I/AAAAAAAABAs/kP8cjde5jNs/s320/DSCN4673.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ss-TYTWrzJI/AAAAAAAABAk/3EoSxwc8UjA/s1600-h/DSCN4674.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390689324707335314" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ss-TYTWrzJI/AAAAAAAABAk/3EoSxwc8UjA/s320/DSCN4674.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ss-TXudMCjI/AAAAAAAABAc/lD8h3fObCjg/s1600-h/DSCN4675.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390689314802502194" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ss-TXudMCjI/AAAAAAAABAc/lD8h3fObCjg/s320/DSCN4675.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ss-TXMyMMNI/AAAAAAAABAU/13cntBqwBoI/s1600-h/DSCN4676.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390689305763786962" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ss-TXMyMMNI/AAAAAAAABAU/13cntBqwBoI/s320/DSCN4676.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I also used a section from one of the many ‘Holiday Greetings’ ribbons to create this very simple card…<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ss-SOnSR1jI/AAAAAAAABAM/c0T8CUeg0G0/s1600-h/DSCN4642.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 205px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390688058747246130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ss-SOnSR1jI/AAAAAAAABAM/c0T8CUeg0G0/s320/DSCN4642.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The little silver Christmas tree is from a set of decorative “cookie cutter buttons” I bought at to make cards for my “cookie baking group” back home.<br /><br />Decided to carry the ribbon to the inside…<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ss-RuIuEVQI/AAAAAAAABAE/dzj3F1cgonU/s1600-h/DSCN4643.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 191px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390687500786488578" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ss-RuIuEVQI/AAAAAAAABAE/dzj3F1cgonU/s320/DSCN4643.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>I seem to be missing quite a few of my ribbons. I hope they’re sitting in---as yet---one of the many unpacked boxes and not in someone else’s home!<br /><br />Caardvarks…I LOVE this challenge!!! Thank You!!! Don’t know how many times you can enter, but I have lots of other ideas….<br /><br />Thanks for peeking… </div>Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-9649245517931206022009-10-06T23:03:00.002-06:002009-10-06T23:06:54.450-06:00MeMeMy blogging friend, Dawn, of <a href=http://dawnsworldnz.blogspot.com/> Dawn’s World</a>, sent me the "MeMe Award." The rules are simple…divulge 7 secrets about myself and pass the award on to 7 others. Like some of the others, I don’t really have any secrets, so I will just list 7 (mostly boring) things about me. More importantly, however, I don’t really know 7 other (paper crafting bloggers) well enough to forward to…so I apologize if this award starts to slow down with me. <br /><br />So here we go…<br /><br />1. I recently moved from a large metropolis on the East Coast to the small University town of Laramie, Wyoming.<br /><br />2. Although quite happily (and surprisingly) adjusting to life in small town Laramie, Wyoming, I sometimes miss my friends (and my old home) something fierce.<br /><br />3. When I was in grade school and High School, I used to keep little books filled with poems, songs, comic strips and pictures that inspired or “spoke” to me, but I didn’t know then that I was actually “scrapbooking.”<br /><br />4. My mom, who is an excellent seamstress and made all my clothes, tried to teach me to sew…but I refused to learn from her and thus, now have to pay for something that was “free.”<br /><br />5. Mom also urged me to take a typing class while in H.S., but I always claimed that I was too busy to take the class.<br /><br />6. I now wish that I had listened to my mom. <br /><br />7. I blog about our adventure/journey/move from the East Coast to small town Laramie and it really helps with the adjustment. <br /><br />So…these are the two people I feel comfortable enough naming for this award…<br /><br />Marije of <a href=http://scraphamstermarije.blogspot.com/>scraphamster</a><br /><br />Andi of <a href=http://andisperfectgravy.blogspot.com/>Andi’s Perfect Gravy – A City Girl’s Ranch Life</a><br /><br />Please stop by their blogs to see all the fun and creative things they come up with. <br /><br />And thanks to Dawn, for thinking of me…so sweet of her.Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-86231646323317990862009-10-06T13:09:00.015-06:002009-10-06T13:48:40.852-06:00Double Challenge (Kitchen Sink & Caardvarks)While admiring several cards submitted for Dawn McVey’s recent Raspberry Suite Challenge, I came across Courtney Baker’s site, “One day at a time” and this challenge<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SsuZPgY0v7I/AAAAAAAAA_w/UZadhjNV2-s/s1600-h/bedroommain+(3).JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389569870750072754" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SsuZPgY0v7I/AAAAAAAAA_w/UZadhjNV2-s/s320/bedroommain+(3).JPG" /></a><br />where we’re asked to use something from the (junk) mail on our cards or scrapbook pages.<br /><br />I absolutely love this idea since I “try” to recycle as much as possible.<br /><br />I was a tad bummed because nothing (or so I thought) workable came in yesterday’s mail and our mailperson doesn’t arrive until after 1:00 PM.<br /><br />tick…tock…tick…tock…<br /><br />So…while running around the house doing chores, I came across this….<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SsuY-BBsyaI/AAAAAAAAA_o/JJN39k2KE9E/s1600-h/DSCN4626.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 143px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389569570273806754" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SsuY-BBsyaI/AAAAAAAAA_o/JJN39k2KE9E/s200/DSCN4626.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I immediately saw the possibilities and this is what I came up with…<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SsuYcAD52FI/AAAAAAAAA_g/SOg6N6inyuU/s1600-h/DSCN4635.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389568985899063378" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SsuYcAD52FI/AAAAAAAAA_g/SOg6N6inyuU/s320/DSCN4635.JPG" /></a><br />I'm thinking it might also work for the ‘Take a Bow” challenge over at Caardvarks where we’re challenged “to use ribbon in some wonderful way!”<br /><br />Two challenges in one...makes me smile!<br /><br /><strong>Card Deets:<br /></strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Fall Sale Postcard (Chicos)<br />Fun Dots (Offray Ribbon)<br />Pumpkin Halloween Ribbon (Michaels)<br />Fall Plywood Pumpkins by Harvest Crafts (Hobby Lobby)<br />Raffia<br /></span><br />Thanks for looking…Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-26573256652497745902009-10-05T17:14:00.003-06:002009-10-05T17:19:59.937-06:00Raspberry Suite Challenge<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ssp-5N-ERcI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/qX4xO86c6M8/s1600-h/bedroommain+(2).JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 181px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389259425569850818" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ssp-5N-ERcI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/qX4xO86c6M8/s320/bedroommain+(2).JPG" /></a><br />Card created for Dawn McVey’s current Raspberry Suite Challenge.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ssp-rDskziI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/INngmXEvCiI/s1600-h/DSCN4623.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 256px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389259182293962274" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Ssp-rDskziI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/INngmXEvCiI/s320/DSCN4623.JPG" /></a><br />I haven’t been able to participate for quite some time…so I’m glad Dawn had another inspiring challenge.<br /><br />I had to pull it together very quickly this afternoon since it’s been a hectic week. But when I spied this ‘peppermint figgy pudding’ paper by Basicgrey, I decided to make an xmas card using Papertrey’s “Believe” clear stamps and dark chocolate ink.<br /><br />Thanks for looking…Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-58514868346029094822009-09-27T23:00:00.008-06:002009-09-27T23:24:08.713-06:00I put a spell on you…A very simple card created for the current HA’s photo challenge.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SsBHotV6KKI/AAAAAAAAA_I/PlWBM9obVnY/s1600-h/DSCN4555.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 305px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386383919026940066" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SsBHotV6KKI/AAAAAAAAA_I/PlWBM9obVnY/s320/DSCN4555.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I don’t normally like to post photos of my family, but this photo is so old and I’ve always thought it was so cute.<br /><br />I have Halloween on the brain and the phrase, “I put a spell on you” popped into my head.<br /><br />I used the HA’s clear designs fanciful swirls alphabet set to create the phrase and Heidi Grace Halloween clear stamps for the inside.</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SsBFIub080I/AAAAAAAAA-w/o5GPxsCMGBE/s1600-h/DSCN4556.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386381170541130562" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SsBFIub080I/AAAAAAAAA-w/o5GPxsCMGBE/s320/DSCN4556.JPG" /></a><br />I really enjoyed creating a card with photos will be doing more of it…so thanks Hero Arts for the fun challenge!<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by… </div></div>Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-34615050842832718532009-09-24T23:44:00.013-06:002009-09-25T00:03:48.072-06:00This is what happens…when you’ve been away from crafting for too long.<br /><br />So…I was all a twitter about this week’s Hero Arts Challenge using photos as the background.<br /><br />Our photos are still packed in a box somewhere, so I decided I’d use one of the vintage photos I’ve picked-up at estate sales, etc. and saving for special occasions.<br /><br />I couldn’t find those either, but did happen up an old postcard I thought might work and this is what I did with it…<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EbC27YDpuH8/SrxahgeZnXI/AAAAAAAAAN0/g80aXJUjgjo/s1600-h/DSCN4548.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 219px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385278786127895922" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EbC27YDpuH8/SrxahgeZnXI/AAAAAAAAAN0/g80aXJUjgjo/s320/DSCN4548.JPG" /></a><br />So, lucky me…I’m creating my card, feeling pretty good about it. I go to pick-up my laptop to write my post and that’s when I realized…I haven’t used any HA stamps!!!!<br /><br />Ugh!<br /><br />Silly me! I used rub-ons, which I love, instead. Completely got carried away and forgot.<br /><br />Don’t know if I can go back and add a stamp or, if I can use a HA stamp…inside.<br /><br />Does that count?<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EbC27YDpuH8/SrxZ1tmncyI/AAAAAAAAANs/VVnQW02mYYA/s1600-h/DSCN4549.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385278033737773858" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EbC27YDpuH8/SrxZ1tmncyI/AAAAAAAAANs/VVnQW02mYYA/s320/DSCN4549.JPG" /></a><br />Anyway…getting back to the card I did create---the writing on the bottom of the card is actually what’s written on the back of the postcard. I copied it before adhering the postcard to the background card stock.<br /><br />The bats are a stamp by MS, the headstones and the ghost are confetti and the broom is probably from Michaels and something that I’ve had for some time.<br /><br />Back to the drawing board…Jeez!<br /><br />BTW: I got the idea to use the vintage photos (and postcards) from some really Fab altered vintage photos cards I saw in the most recent Somerset Studio’s <em>The Art of Paper and Mixed Media.</em><br /><br />If you haven’t yet seen this issue, check it out!<br /><br />Thanks for peeking…Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-14135071161166986932009-09-24T14:17:00.005-06:002009-09-24T14:24:47.614-06:00Caardvarks Sketch Challenge #5So yesterday I finally jumped in and entered my first challenge in some time.<br /><br />Today, I figured I’d stay the course and enter another Caarvarks challenge with this sketch designed by Heidi Van Laar...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SrvVCDtM2zI/AAAAAAAAA-o/SLcVWEXBnQI/s1600-h/DSCN4546.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385132010782907186" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SrvVCDtM2zI/AAAAAAAAA-o/SLcVWEXBnQI/s400/DSCN4546.JPG" /></a><br />This sketch said “Christmas” to me. Unfortunately, most of my Christmas ephemera and embellies are patiently waiting (somewhere as yet unbeknownst to me) in a box in the lower level of my new home.<br /><br />This sketch said “Christmas” to me. Unfortunately, most of my Christmas ephemera and embellies are patiently waiting (somewhere as yet unbeknownst to me) in a box in the lower level of my new home.<br /><br />So I went with my other most favorite theme…Halloween!<br /><br />This card isn’t anything like what I started with, but I think we all know how that goes…<br /><br />Not sure if this meets the specifications of Heidi’s sketch…<br /><br />The “Boo” is actually the cardboard packaging from a Wilton Cookie cutter. I was going to trace the cookie cutter onto cardstock, cut it out and embellish, when I thought…”Hey. Why not just use the packaging since it’s so colorful?”<br /><br />I also figured “Boo” could serve a dual purpose…the curved shape and the greeting.<br /><br />I usually like to finish the inside of my cards, as I did here...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SrvUVlU_TqI/AAAAAAAAA-g/3c0EiucU2zs/s1600-h/DSCN4536.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 294px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385131246714048162" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SrvUVlU_TqI/AAAAAAAAA-g/3c0EiucU2zs/s400/DSCN4536.JPG" /></a><br />Thanks Caardvarks, and Heidi, for another great challenge…and for helping to get me back on the horse.Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-15366399513329217602009-09-23T23:08:00.017-06:002009-09-24T00:00:34.754-06:00Caardvarks Sketch Challenge #4<span style="color:#ff0000;">[Edited to Add: Not sure if it fits but also submitting to the Papertake Weekly Challenge #24...first time submitting to Papertake.]</span><br /><br />It’s been months since I entered any challenges. I’ve mentioned before that we just made a major move from the East Coast to Wyoming and I’m just now starting to surface after a 4 month hiatus.<br /><br />Anyway, thought I’d try and get back on the proverbial horse and give this sketch challenge a try.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SrsEcoqLcHI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/abO50Fd7E1A/s1600-h/bedroommain.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 141px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384902669448736882" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SrsEcoqLcHI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/abO50Fd7E1A/s400/bedroommain.JPG" /></a><br />I’m still unpacking, so it’s frustrating trying to craft when things are out of order…but at least I’m crafting!<br /><br />I find I have a hard time with sketch challenges…not sure why, but I find I get “crafter's block” when trying to interpret a sketch.<br /><br />But here it is…my attempt at Wednesday’s challenge…<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SrsDRyK3HeI/AAAAAAAAA-I/utLw2jV4K90/s1600-h/DSCN4508.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384901383511547362" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SrsDRyK3HeI/AAAAAAAAA-I/utLw2jV4K90/s400/DSCN4508.JPG" /></a><br />Designer papers are all from a DCWV Safari Kids Stack that I bought back home in Virginia before we moved but never got around to using. The little gems are from Martha Stewart.<br /><br />I also decorated the inside of the card but can't get my photo to post horizontal, a problem I seem to have quite a bit.<br /><br />Oh well...<br /><br />It was night when I made my card, so the colors are off.<br /><br />Thanks for looking…Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-20970892579486402702009-09-23T11:36:00.008-06:002009-09-23T12:07:14.018-06:00Something old---but new to me!Saw this cute idea in the pages of the newly hatched GreenCraft magazine from Stampington & Company.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SrphjA6nvoI/AAAAAAAAA9g/4gP3epEnwpY/s1600-h/green+craft+magazine.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 255px; HEIGHT: 329px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384723558644039298" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SrphjA6nvoI/AAAAAAAAA9g/4gP3epEnwpY/s400/green+craft+magazine.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div>I LOVE this magazine! I can’t wait for the next issue, but until then… there are so many wonderful and creative ideas to (hopefully) keep me occupied until then.<br /><br />And I just loved the “The Magic of Mini” (pgs. 14 &15) creations by Becky Shander, wherein she used inexpensive peat pots to create tiny gift baskets.<br /><br />I was so intrigued by her little treat baskets that I went right out to Ace Hardware and bought me a stack of these little pots. 50 for $4.99…what a bargain!<br /><br />(Just for the record, I also enjoyed the miniature eggs baskets by Angela Harris as well, and will also need to give those a try.)<br /><br />So…while rummaging around in my current mess of a craft room---since I still have yet to unpack many of my craft boxes from our recent move out West---I spied a package of pink and lime green princess crowns that I bought on sale over a year ago.<br /><br />Hmmm...<br /><br />This is what I came up with while I was waiting for my boys to return from bb practice last evening.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Srpgri2FcPI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/ficSpYfJjpE/s1600-h/DSCN4491.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 351px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384722605679145202" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Srpgri2FcPI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/ficSpYfJjpE/s400/DSCN4491.JPG" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SrpfSAXAO8I/AAAAAAAAA9Q/y8CmlGS9J-M/s1600-h/DSCN4494.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384721067413617602" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SrpfSAXAO8I/AAAAAAAAA9Q/y8CmlGS9J-M/s400/DSCN4494.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>I know…very simple…but simple is really what I do.</div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Srpd0t1aAyI/AAAAAAAAA9A/aM7ylXXqktk/s1600-h/DSCN4501.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384719464713028386" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Srpd0t1aAyI/AAAAAAAAA9A/aM7ylXXqktk/s400/DSCN4501.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SrpegzqmWMI/AAAAAAAAA9I/GKqz0YdMBpA/s1600-h/DSCN4498.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 321px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384720222192556226" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SrpegzqmWMI/AAAAAAAAA9I/GKqz0YdMBpA/s400/DSCN4498.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div>Great for giving little chocolates!<br /></div><div></div><div> </div><div>I have since learned that using peat pots for a variety of crafting treats has been around for some time…case in-point: a Martha Stewart video I found last evening where she made peat pot Easter Baskets back in 2001!<br /><br />Oh well…<br /><br />They may be old hat to you all---but they’re new to me…and I plan to have some fun with them!<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by… </div>Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-7465954946926890432009-09-16T11:49:00.010-06:002009-09-16T12:26:23.825-06:00Spoiled (& a crude, quick & dirty holiday tag)…I may have posted earlier how I've been spoiled…craft store wise. I had no less than 6 craft and craft/fabric stores (Michaels, AC Moore, The Paper Source, Pearls, G Street Fabrics and Joann Fabrics) within a 5-10 mile radius from my home in Arlington, VA.<br /><br />Now…I have 3 stores (Hobby Lobby, Michaels and Joann Fabrics) within a 47 to 55 mile radius from my home in Laramie, Wyoming and all… over the mountains in Cheyenne, Wyoming or Fort Collins, Colorado. Remember, I’m a city girl (even though Virginia does have its rolling hills).<br /><br />So what’s a gal…who isn’t (yet) comfortable cruising along a two-lane highway or alongside Big Mac trucks flying down the Interstate, all at 75 to 80 mph…to do???<br /><br />Instead of AC Moore, I’ve been cruising the aisles of Ace Hardware and True Value!! And what have I found? Options, baby. Options!<br /><br />It’s amazing what a gal can do…when a gal has to do what a gal has to do…to get her crafting fix!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EbC27YDpuH8/SrElsISXPDI/AAAAAAAAAKM/giEsjI9FlgM/s1600-h/DSCN4414.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382124469753429042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EbC27YDpuH8/SrElsISXPDI/AAAAAAAAAKM/giEsjI9FlgM/s320/DSCN4414.JPG" /></a><br /><br />A (very) quick and dirty holiday “tag” I pulled together yesterday using some of my Ace Hardware buys, including a 1/18” thin piece of Balsa plywood from Midwest Products.<br /><br />I got the idea while thinking about the upcoming craft bazaar I signed up for at the University Wyoming (UWYO) in early December. This will be my very first craft fair and I’m wondering…”What the heck was I thinking!!!!” I’m incredibly nervous, yet excited! I have several ideas floating in my head, some past creations and some new ones.<br /><br />Backside of card, which I know doesn't really fit with the front.<br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EbC27YDpuH8/SrEnK2MS26I/AAAAAAAAAKc/juUKrkc6auo/s1600-h/DSCN4415.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382126096983710626" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EbC27YDpuH8/SrEnK2MS26I/AAAAAAAAAKc/juUKrkc6auo/s320/DSCN4415.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Close-up of the front. I used a page from one of the many books that we were going to donate but that I decided to keep for my crafting purposes. This page is from an old Spanish dictionary. I accidentally stamped on it upside down!</div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EbC27YDpuH8/SrEmUyduFII/AAAAAAAAAKU/CGQilPd03R0/s1600-h/DSCN4420.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382125168270120066" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EbC27YDpuH8/SrEmUyduFII/AAAAAAAAAKU/CGQilPd03R0/s320/DSCN4420.JPG" /></a><br /><br />My holiday tag is messy and crude and needs LOTS of tweaking…but it uses my Ace purchases (the Balsa plywood and garden jute) and some really old beads from another era…like almost 20 years ago! I plan to stamp on the wood itself, which I’m sure has been done before, to create an outdoorsy, natural look that I’m hoping might appeal to buyers at the UWYO craft bazaar.<br /><br />My piece of Balsa wood is approximately 3”x35” and cost $1.65. I figure I can get anywhere from 6 to 8 tags from one piece of wood…plus it’s smooth, which means no need for a whole lot of sanding. Nice!<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by…</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-19760220554340079212009-09-16T11:47:00.000-06:002009-09-16T11:48:50.954-06:00Working my way back…It’s been a long three months since my last post from…Arlington, Virginia. <br /><br />Since then, we’ve packed up and moved cross country to…Laramie, Wyoming. <br /><br />We arrived in Wyoming mid-August and I’ve been unpacking hundreds of boxes and trying to get 0ur new home in order. It’s coming along…slowly. <br /><br />We’ve lost square footage and lots of built-ins, but it’s a nice house and…I have my own craft room! My room is in the basement but (a really nice finished basement and) here in Laramie most of the new homes have half the house in what is called…the lower level. And it’s an entire room…whereas in our home back in Arlington, I had only half of our guest bedroom. <br /><br />I have yet to unpack everything (and I lost storage space…2 dressers that we didn’t move with us) and yesterday afternoon I realized that I’m missing all my x-mas stuff. Yikes! I thought the movers had moved all my stuff into the craft room. So I need to go…box hunting.<br /><br />There’s so much I’ve missed the past three months---so here’s to working my way back…Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-57767074941720475202009-06-20T01:12:00.002-06:002009-06-20T01:14:18.145-06:00Thank you Caardvarks!I’d just like to say a big BIG “Thank You!” to Caardvarks for the wonderful opportunity to be a<br />guest designer, to have fun being creative and for letting me play!<br /><br />I’ve said it before on this blog and I’ll say it again…Caardvarks…I love you!!Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-7172590107410009542009-06-19T23:22:00.012-06:002009-06-20T01:21:47.465-06:00Planes, Trucks and Automobiles…and a Caardvarks Guest Designer!Planes, trucks and automobiles have been on my mind lately.<br /><br />We need to take a plane to Laramie, Wyoming to check out houses.<br /><br />A large truck will soon be hauling all our belongings cross country.<br /><br />On August 1, the three of us will get in our car and drive approximately 1,600 miles to our new home.<br /><br />So when I got the assignment to create a “window” card as a guest designer for the new Caardvarks Challenge, I immediately thought of planes and automobiles. I was a little nervous...not just because this is my first guest designer gig, ever...but also because I haven’t made many window cards. In fact, I wasn’t even really sure what constituted a window card…like…does it have to have an actual opening?<br /><br />One night when I couldn’t sleep, my thoughts went to…naturally, what else…card crafting. I was actually thinking about ‘change of address’ cards and…we’ll, it all sort of evolved from there.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Sjx1QE1Nx5I/AAAAAAAAA84/5APxMaqsQ_I/s1600-h/DSCN3640.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349279376444606354" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Sjx1QE1Nx5I/AAAAAAAAA84/5APxMaqsQ_I/s400/DSCN3640.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div>I know I’m not the first (nor will I be the last) to work the car concept, but I envisioned a car, specifically the back of a car…as it drives down our street and away from our home and friends…taking us to our new adventure.<br /><br />I decided to base my card on my husband’s Mini Clubman. First, I took this photo of the back of his car. </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Sjx1A9V060I/AAAAAAAAA8w/oZmAVTxWCsc/s1600-h/DSCN3246.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349279116735867714" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Sjx1A9V060I/AAAAAAAAA8w/oZmAVTxWCsc/s400/DSCN3246.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div>After downloading the photo into my computer, I printed it and then enlarged it to the size I wanted. I cut out the image and used it as my template. My husband saw me working on the card and advised me… the clubman’s back doors swing open vs. opening upwards. So I changed my layout and I must say, I like it a lot better this way. </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Sjx0Xw5VQkI/AAAAAAAAA8o/HCue2PVOEFU/s1600-h/DSCN3645.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349278409020490306" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Sjx0Xw5VQkI/AAAAAAAAA8o/HCue2PVOEFU/s400/DSCN3645.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div>I cut and pieced contrasting accent pieces (just like on his car) and the bumper, etc. I wrapped foil around brads to “create” the side view mirrors and more brads and buttons for the tail and break lights. I embossed a piece of cardstock using the Cuttlebug faux leather template to create car seats. </div></div><div></div><br /><div>I decided to add some silly characters wearing silly eye patches…to protect the innocent…looking back as the car heads off towards points West...notice the license plate? </div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SjxzyHVQ0hI/AAAAAAAAA8g/9aSFmV0piuM/s1600-h/DSCN3643.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349277762208190994" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 326px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SjxzyHVQ0hI/AAAAAAAAA8g/9aSFmV0piuM/s400/DSCN3643.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Since we don’t yet have an address in Wyoming, I decided to adapt a verse or two from <em>Pure Prairie League’s “Two Lane Highway”</em> since it pretty much describes how torn I’m feeling these days.<br /><br />I hadn’t intended to decorate the back of the card, which is actually the front of the car, but I guess I got carried away. Note those crazy characters again, this time looking forward to their new adventure! </div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Sjxyt5VxHdI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/gPpsGjgiWnw/s1600-h/DSCN3655.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349276590221106642" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Sjxyt5VxHdI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/gPpsGjgiWnw/s400/DSCN3655.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><div></div><div></div><div>This is too time consuming to use as an actual change of address card but I do plan to keep the template for use in the future...I had so much fun creating this card! </div></div></div></div>Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-26941858222491489512009-06-19T23:09:00.006-06:002009-06-20T01:23:22.064-06:00I wasn't sure this card actually qualifies as a window card, but I decided to include it anyway.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SjxvqwJ7VvI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/t2Sd3XwmWvk/s1600-h/DSCN3504+-+Copy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349273237681034994" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 279px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SjxvqwJ7VvI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/t2Sd3XwmWvk/s400/DSCN3504+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I came up with this airplane idea during the Caardvarks’ shape challenge and I so wanted to submit this card to that challenge! I held off though…just in case my car concept idea didn’t work. Again, I’m still not sure if this constitutes a “window’ card…but it was fun to make!<br /><br />I created a template based on an airplane image I found on line by first copying it into a word document and playing around with it by enlarging it to a size I wanted. I enlarged it a second time when printing. I wanted to punch “windows” all along the front, but my punches aren’t long enough and I was only able to punch one window. I’m not good with a craft knife, so decided to create the other “windows” by gluing punched circles to the front of the card. I covered the “windows” with cellophane to create the “glass” part of the window. I’d appreciate any suggestions on how to attach cellophane without it getting all gooey looking from the adhesive.<br /><br />I used a T-pin to outline the wings and tail and added some little sticky dots, chip board letters and a metal sentiment tag, all from Joann’s.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by…Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-7507070498350112832009-06-18T20:50:00.005-06:002009-06-18T20:57:44.101-06:00For My Dad...Simple SimpleI just managed to squeak out another simple Father’s Day card…for my dad this time.<br /><br />Usually I find really funny (read sarcastic) cards for my dad, who always gets a big chuckle out of what I send his way. Then I turn around and send him one of my creations. This time I had to forego the funny/sarcastic Hallmark card and just send mine, which will be lucky if it gets there in time.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Sjr9ZZ9tP_I/AAAAAAAAA8I/sJe5IgOJ5KU/s1600-h/DSCN3671.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348866120364146674" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/Sjr9ZZ9tP_I/AAAAAAAAA8I/sJe5IgOJ5KU/s400/DSCN3671.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Anyway…very simple simple.<br /><br />Thanks for peeking…Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-45648783884318394592009-06-18T17:27:00.016-06:002009-06-18T20:43:15.454-06:00A bird, a plane…no, it’s Birthday Man!Needed to send a birthday card to my younger brother…like today! His birthday is Saturday and he lives 4 states away. Last night I got down to work and just couldn’t focus. Guess I’m feeling too discombobulated these days.<br /><br />Anyway…this card is the end result of what happened while I was filing some scraps I had left over from my recent card submission as a Caardvarks guest designer (to be published at Midnight on Friday…very nervous!).<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SjrPVrbkuoI/AAAAAAAAA8A/fk_aiFYxf2A/s1600-h/DSCN3700.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348815478798465666" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SjrPVrbkuoI/AAAAAAAAA8A/fk_aiFYxf2A/s400/DSCN3700.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The card just sort of evolved after I noticed the sharp angles and empty spaces where I had used a craft punch. I thought, hmm...I wonder?<br /><br />My brother lives in an apartment building in a large metropolis…and I love skyscrapers, especially at night and even more especially after a freshly fallen snow. So…I went with the flow and this is what happened! There’s absolutely no stamping on this card.<br /><br />I know it won’t make sense to you all but this is what I typed inside…<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Faster than a lake-front surfer<br />More powerful than a Maitre d<br />Able to maneuver around tall buildings in a single taxi…<br /><br />It’s…Birthday-Man!<br /><br />Happy Birthday to the man (who lives around) steel!"</span></em><br /></span><br />Here's a close up of Birthday Man…<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SjrO9YSd4MI/AAAAAAAAA74/ACYPghGg2eU/s1600-h/DSCN3700+-+Copy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348815061343133890" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 310px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SjrO9YSd4MI/AAAAAAAAA74/ACYPghGg2eU/s400/DSCN3700+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>Thanks for stopping by…</div><div></div><div><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc0000;">Edited to Add:</span></div><div><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#cc0000;">I have this bad habit of making a card, only to realize too late that I don't have an envelope to fit the dimensions of my newest creation. Usually when this happens, I'm in such a hurry to send/give the card to the recipient that I don't have time to make a nice envelope. </span><span style="color:#cc0000;">Today was really no different...except that I had a light bulb moment and wrapped the card in aluminum foil! </span><span style="color:#cc0000;">Get it? Man of steel...aluminum steel (foil)?! S</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">o I wrapped black and red card stock around the foil like ribbon and added some cool black buttons for dimension. Looked pretty neat and I know he's gonna love it! </span></div></div>Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168509148486589650.post-80295065339819897072009-06-17T01:50:00.002-06:002009-06-17T01:54:45.731-06:00Remember…simple?Like a lot of you, I sometimes can tell who made a card by style and color...and I find that I gravitate to certain people’s cards because of a particular style. <br /><br />Me…I’m still floundering. I feel like I’m all over the map sometimes, and other times feel like I’m stretching myself…to limits that I’m not totally comfortable with. This usually leaves me feeling either dissatisfied with the look of my work or that it looks unpolished and amateurish. <br /><br />I sometimes find that I long for the days of…simple. Yeah. Remember when cards looked like this…<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SjigfYxTrNI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/rTJa0k7zytQ/s1600-h/DSCN3588.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348201018588114130" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I9MIOXjcbRg/SjigfYxTrNI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/rTJa0k7zytQ/s400/DSCN3588.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div>without all the embellies?<br /><br />Don’t get me wrong…I love all the embellies and the inks and the tools and the distress kits, etc., etc. </div><div> </div><div>I just wonder sometimes…if maybe…simple is really who I am and that I should stick with simple. I do know that simple can be so much more than this card…and yet, still be simple. </div><div> </div><div>I know that simple doesn’t have to be a plain Jane, but instead, can be elegant and dramatic.<br /><br />Maybe…I’ve been away from crafting too long and I’m finding it hard to find my mojo. </div><div> </div><div>Then again, maybe it’s really just way too late for me to be awake and things will be clearer in the morning.<br /><br />Then again…</div>Joshua Jiraffe Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10250213194231587461noreply@blogger.com2