Lucy's Challenge...

I have problems with the html keystrokes for adding a link, site, photo, etc.

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.

So...you can find Lucy's challenge over at Lucy's Cards.

Lucy’s Color Challenge

Oh well…

I probably inadvertently disqualified myself from Lucy’s first color challenge, which you can find here by not thinking...and adding glitter.

It wasn’t until after I added the glitter that I realized…uh oh.

And this was my second attempt.


[full sun photo]


[same card with no direct sunlight]

I had just finished my first card (below)...when I realized...I had printed the sentiment onto "white" card stock.

Sigh...

Also, you'll notice a big "boo-boo" on the card in the first two photos...I "glittered" the waves and not the sand!

That's what I get for trying to be cute.



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.

I’ve been having fun playing with drawing in MS Word.


Original drawings by joshuajiraffe designs

Both my hubby and my teenager son tell me that I should use Paint, but I haven’t quite figured that one out…yet.

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.

Thanks for checking in…and thanks, Lucy, for a fun challenge.

My Wyoming…

My take on…a Wyoming holiday greeting card.



This is actually my depiction of what I see when I look out my front door…snow capped mountains in the distance.

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.

When taking my son to school, this is what we see…minus the evergreens and the deer, which are “Dress it up” buttons.

Thanks for peeking…

A few simple things...

A few simple things I’ve been working on for the craft bazzar.

I love covering these little shaker boxes. I prefer ribbon, but paper works just as well.



I saw the idea a few years ago in “Living” and have made them ever since.

Sometimes I fill them with homemade treats for teacher’s gifts or give them as tree ornaments.



Thought I’d make a few with some non- traditional x-mas colors and a more masculine bent for the craft fair.




I also like to color and decorate the insides with paper and ribbon.

Some of the first cards I ever made where these little gift tags.



I think the little penguins might be old Debbie Mum stickers…I’ve had them for a long time.

I just added ribbon and mittens from a package of “Dress it up” holiday buttons.



Recently, I’ve taken to drawing my own creations in MS Word Art.

This was drawn using the freeform line art in MS Word. I just added some flowers I punched out of cardstock.


Original drawing by joshuajiraffe designs

One day I might like to try and turn these drawings into rubber stamps.

Another card I made using another one of my own freeform creations drawn and colored in Word Art.

Original drawings by joshuajiraffe designs

The penguin and tree are from a package of “Dress it up” buttons.

This last card was made using some MS stamps and more “Dress it up” buttons.



Thanks for stopping by…

A Slow realization...

Ahem…it’s been a while.

At least I can finally say that our house is (mostly) in order now.

Also, I’ve been posting to my other Blog about our move and adventures westward.

I signed up for a craft show (my first), which is in two weeks.

I need…product, product, product, which I mostly don’t have but have been busy working on.

I’ve also been struggling with something as of late.

I’ve slowly come to the realization that my paper crafting doesn’t really seem to fit with what other paper crafters are doing.

Everyone is moving forward...using the latest products and techniques, while I seem to remain in place.

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.

So I’ve stayed away, trying to figure out what to do…what I want to do.

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.

And to admit…that I do simple.

In fact, I like simple.

Maybe it’s boring.

Maybe it’s plain.

Maybe it’s a throwback to the style that we all started with…simple, plain and unadorned.

But it’s what I do best.

I think.

I’ve found that something chemical happens to me when I participate in a card…color…sketch…challenge.

I’ve even talked it over with the husband…who would prefer to have his fingernails pulled out rather than talk “crafts.”

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.”

And…I usually end up not liking what I’ve created.

The husband, definitely not the warm and fuzzy type when it comes to my craft works, listened and offered up this gem…

“It’s simple…forget about what other people are doing and just make the kind of cards you like.”

Hmm…I thought I was doing that.

But upon reflection, I realized the husband...is right.

Whenever I enter a challenge, two things happen…

I forget about what I like and do best, and

I try to become “someone else.”

And I fail miserably at it.

Or maybe it’s more like what a good friend shared recently.

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.”

Hmmm…

Don’t get me wrong.

I love to sit and peruse the latest craft magazines or sit at the computer visiting blog sites offering yummy card goodness.

I ooh.

I aah.

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.

I envision creating cards…like them.

But it’s not me…or at least not me at the moment.

Like my friend, maybe I much prefer the reading and the “dream” of doing those things…rather than the actual doing.

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.

Don’t know if that makes sense, but there it is.

I may change one day.

I hope I do.

But until then, I’ll continue to do what…I think…I do best.

Simple.

Thanks for stopping in…

Just for Ewe…

Another simple card I'll be making more of for the December market bazaar…


I love this Ewe stamp but haven’t played with it in a long while.

I found this sketch over at 2 Sketches 4 You , but was too late to play along.



I liked the sketch so much I decided it would be perfect for my very simple little “Thank Ewe” card.

Thanks for stopping in…

These 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 here. Check it out…very cool technique.

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.

I had this extra set that I didn’t want to toss because…well…everything has crafting potential.

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.

They’re coasters, so can’t really embellish with bling. But they could also be made into little hanging frames.

Thanks for peeking….