While Walking My Dogs

Card #17 – Valentine’s Card #2 – {31 Days of Cards}

Posted on January 17, 2015 by gracieed

Before we get to Card #17, the winner of yesterdays daily giveaway is: Peggy who said, “Great idea!”.

Thank you for your kind words and Congratulations Peggy!

I hope you enjoy your card.

Don’t forget to leave a comment on this post for today’s card. Remember each day you leave a comment, you are entered into the drawing for the Grand Giveaway for all 31 cards. Easy, peasy.

Card #17 – Valentine’s Card #2

I started by assembling all my supplies.

As I mentioned in the first Valentine’s card that I made, I’ll be making a few of these during this series.

This particular card required the least amount of supplies of any card I’ve made so far. I like cards that look like you spent hours, yet, in reality, it was only a few minutes.

And this will probably be the shortest blog post of this series because the card required so few steps.

I used rose red cardstock (4 1/4″ X 11 1/2″) for my base and white cardstock (4″ X 5 1/4″) for the front panel.

Step 1: I embossed the white cardstock using my polka dot embossing folder.

Step 2: I found some scrap white cardstock and laid down 1 1/2″ strips of washi tape to form the flags of the banner. I cut out the strips of washi tape and notched the ends.
Step 3: Using foam adhesive I stuck the banners on the card.

Step 4: I attached the string using double sided tape on the back of the panel.

Step 5: I glued the front panel to the rose red base cardstock.

Step 6: I punched mini hearts out of the same rose red cardstock and glued them to the card front.

Step 7: I applied Glossy Accents Dimensional adhesive to the hearts and sprinkled them with glitter.

Voila! Done!

Here is the finished card.

Remember to leave a comment below and be entered to win this card today and possibly the Grand Giveaway of all 31 cards on February 1, 2015.

Until tomorrow,

I like when your blog posts are short. It means more time for walking and snuggling.

Posted in 31 Days of Cards, Accountability, Cards, Challenges and Contests, Goals, Homemade, Paper Crafting, Valentine | Tagged 31 Days of Cards, accountability, Cards, Challenges and Contests, homemade, paper crafting, Valentine | 7 Comments

Saturday Snippets | January 17, 2015

Posted on January 17, 2015 by gracieed

Welcome to Saturday Snippets. This is where I share links and odd bits of info from the past week.

1. For those who have listened to the Serial Podcast, here’s an interview with Jay, the Key Witness. For those of you who haven’t, get listening!!! It’s really good.

2. “The First Grader,” directed by Justin Chadwick and written by Ann Peacock, tells the remarkable true story of Kimani Ng’ang’a Maruge, an illiterate member of the Kikuyu tribe in Kenya who enrolled in a rural primary school in 2003, when he was 84.

3. I recently mentioned to Mike that I would like to take a ‘Reading Vacation’. No, not a vacation from reading, but a vacation where all you do is read. Ah, bliss. And I’m not the only one thinking about this.

4. It’s still the first month of the year. Here’s a bit of a spin on the traditional New Year’s Resolutions.

5. This just made me laugh.

Well that’s all the snippets I have for today. Have a wonderful Saturday,

Okay, two things:

1. I would never let myself be hypnotized by a cat and,
2. I certainly would never, never, never, never, ever give my biscuits to a cat (or anybody). Never!

Posted in Accountability, Books, Challenges and Contests, Dogs, Education, Goals, Lists, Saturday Snippets, TV & Movies | Tagged accountability, books, Challenges and Contests, Dogs, education, goals, lists, Quest46, Saturday Snippets, TV & Movies | 2 Comments

Card #16 – “A Just Because” Card – {31 Days of Cards}

Posted on January 16, 2015 by gracieed

Before we get to Card #16, the winner of yesterdays daily giveaway is: Mary Jane who said, “Beautiful”.

Thank you for your kind words and Congratulations Mary Jane!

I hope you enjoy your card.

Card #16 – “A Just Because” Card

I started by assembling all my supplies.

This card could be used for any occasion. I like to make a bunch of “just because” cards and use them for times when I just want to make someone happy.

I used blue textured cardstock (4 1/4″ X 11 1/2″) for my base, orange textured cardstock (3″ X 3″) for the border frame, white cardstock for the stamping and patterned cardstock for the accent strip.

I first stamped my flower images using Distress Ink and my bee image using black ink. I colored the bee in with my Distress Markers. When I was finished with the stamping, I adhered the piece to the orange cardstock frame and then to the blue cardstock base.

I found a piece of scrap white cardstock and stamped the ‘hello’ sentiment. I cut out the disc and inked it with Versamark ink. I then poured clear embossing powder on the disc and heat set it with my glue gun. I did this step three times to give the disc a resin-type look. While this cooled, I glued the accent strip to the lower portion of the card, rounded the corners of the entire card and tied ribbon around the accent strip. I tied one knot, thread the ‘hello’ disc onto the ribbon and tied the disc on. I trimmed the remaining ribbon.

I finished the card by using Glossy Accents on the center of each flower and pouring clear micro beads into the glue. Micro beads are the donut holes of the bead world. They are the centers that are left over when they make seed beads. The pictures don’t do this card justice, but this affect gives the card dimension. The Glossy Accents starts to dry pretty quickly, but I’ll leave it over night to make sure I don’t smudge the centers.

Here is the finished card.

Remember to leave a comment below and be entered to win this card today and possibly the Grand Giveaway of all 31 cards on February 1, 2015.

Until tomorrow,

Did I hear the word ‘donut’?

Posted in 31 Days of Cards, Accountability, Cards, Challenges and Contests, Goals, Homemade, Paper Crafting | Tagged 31 Days of Cards, accountability, Cards, Challenges and Contests, homemade, paper crafting | 15 Comments

Card #15 – Sympathy Card – {31 Days of Cards}

Posted on January 15, 2015 by gracieed

Before we get to Card #15, the winner of yesterdays daily giveaway is: Ed who said, “Nice card. Would make a nice Birthday card, hint, hint. Feb. 7 is very close.”.

Thank you for your kind words and Congratulations Ed!

I hope you enjoy your card.

Card #15 – Sympathy Card

I started by assembling all my supplies.

As a rule, I’m not a fan of sympathy cards, but I do think it’s important to let people know that I’m thinking of and praying for them during difficult times.

I wanted the card to be clean, simple, beautiful and also respectful.

I used yellow textured cardstock (4 1/4″ X 11″) for my base, purple textured cardstock (3″ X 3″) for the border circle and white cardstock for the backing.

I first placed the front panel into my polka dot embossing folder. I love the dimension the mini polka dots give. I then used my scallop die to create a scalloped edging. I ran the yellow panel through my die cut machine once more to punch the circle window.

To create the circle border, I placed two circle dies on the purple textured cardstock and ran them through the die cut machine. This gave me a circle with a stitched edging that fit perfectly around the circle window on the front panel of the card.

I glued the border circle around the circle window and attached white cardstock to the back of the front panel.

Once I was finished die cutting the front panel, I went to work on the embellishments. I chose to white emboss scribbled flowers and leaves on vellum and then color them with my Distress markers. I love this technique because I can color OUTSIDE the lines and not mess anything up. I selected different shades of yellows, purples and greens and colored away. I dried them briefly with my heat gun and cut them out along the embossing lines. Because they’re colored on vellum, the flowers and leaves have a soft, gentle look.

I chose a coordinating ink to stamp my sentiment in the middle of the circle window. I then glued down the flowers and leaves in two sections along the circle. I finished the card by placing three pearl embellishments in the center of each flower.

Here is the finished card.

Remember to leave a comment below and be entered to win this card today and possibly the Grand Giveaway of all 31 cards on February 1, 2015.

Until tomorrow,

When someone’s sad, I think it’s really important to be available for hugs, be a good listener and let my fur get a little wet from their tears.

Card #14 – Baby Boy Card – {31 Days of Cards}

Posted on January 14, 2015 by gracieed

Before we get to Card #14, the winner of yesterdays daily giveaway is: trimitup who said, “Too cute, love all the hearts!”.

Thank you for your kind words and Congratulations trimitup!

I hope you enjoy your card.

Card #14 – Baby Boy Card

I started by assembling all my supplies.

I thought I’d add a card for a baby boy since I already made one for a girl. This design, using a starburst, could really be used for any occasion. All you have to do is alter the colors, sentiment and embellishments.

It’s a really simple design and easy to assemble.

I used white cardstock (5 1/2″ X 8 1W/2″) for my base, beige cardstock (2″ X 5 1/2″) for the sentiment strip and patterned cardstock for the starburst.

I chose five coordinating pieces of cardstock and trimmed each one into 1 1/2″ strips. I cut each strip into wedges along the length of the piece diagonally. I lay them out in a starburst pattern until I found the combination of color I liked.

I identified the center point of my card and glued a wedge piece. I glued the rest by butting them right up against each other. I took my scissors and trimmed up the pieces that were overlapping the edges of the cardstock base.

Once the base was finished, I stamped the sentiment onto the beige cardstock, embossed it with gold embossing powder and attached the metal frame using two metal brads. I inked the edges of the sentiment strip and used my tape runner to attach it to the lower 2″ of the base of the card.

I finished the card by attaching a piece of ribbon to cover the connection point between the starburst and the sentiment strip.

Here is the finished card.

I love the simplicity along with the splash of color.

Remember to leave a comment below and be entered to win this card today and possibly the Grand Giveaway of all 31 cards on February 1, 2015.

Until tomorrow,

You keep bringing up the subject of babies and we know you really mean “puppies”. Is there anything you want to share with us?

Although I’d just like to say, if we do get a puppy, can it be a boy?

Card #13 – Valentine Card – {31 Days of Cards}

Posted on January 13, 2015 by gracieed

Before we get to Card #13, the winner of yesterdays daily giveaway is: Neil who said, “Great Birthday card. Sure hope I get one like this for my Birthday.”.

Thank you for your kind words and Congratulations Neil!

I hope you enjoy your card.

Card #13 – Valentine card

I started by assembling all my supplies.

I’ll probably be making several Valentine cards in this card series. I used a Simon Says Stamp set called “Sending Happy Thoughts“.

I used white cardstock (5 1/2″ X 8 1W/2”) for my base and patterned cardstock for the inside of the envelope.

I started by using Versamark ink to stamp the envelope image twice. Because I wanted it to appear as if the envelope was open, I needed to cut two separate pieces. I covered the images with black embossing powder, melted them with the heat gun and cut them out. I kept one envelope intact and for the other one I cut out the top flap. I also stamped the image with regular black ink on the backside of the patterned paper. After all the pieces were cut out I glued them together and then adhered them to the white cardstock base.

Once I had the envelope placed, I used the red ink to stamp the “Sending” sentiment. I finished the sentiment by stamping, in black ink, the words, “Lots of Love”.

Now the work began on this card. I punched out assorted hearts in coordinating colors with my Martha Stewart Hearts punch. Then using my Tombow Mono Multi Adhesive, I attached them semi-randomly as if they were flying out of the envelope.

I finished the card by painting a few of the hearts with my Wink of Stella glitter brush and attaching a few sparkly embellishments.

Here is the finished card.

This was a super fun card to make. Hopefully it’s given you some ideas for Valentine’s Day.

Remember to leave a comment below and be entered to win this card today and possibly the Grand Giveaway of all 31 cards on February 1, 2015.

Until tomorrow,

We know all about Christmas, but what’s this Valentine thing? Does it involve treats?

Card #12 – Colorful Festive Birthday Card – {31 Days of Cards}

Posted on January 12, 2015 by gracieed

Before we get to Card #12, the winner of yesterdays daily giveaway is: Michelle who said, “Beautiful!”.

Thank you for your kind words and Congratulations Michelle!

I hope you enjoy your card.

Card #12 – Colorful Festive Birthday card

I started by assembling all my supplies.

Of all the cards I make, birthday cards are the ones I make the most. Most of the time I try to fit the card design to the person, but every now and then I just need a card full of color and celebration. This one is definitely full of color and is great for using scraps.

I used white cardstock (5 1/2″ X 8 1W/2″) for my base, red cardstock (5 1/4″ X 4″) for the frame, white cardstock for the front panel and patterned cardstock for the banner backing.

I started by spraying my white cardstock front panel with Dylusions Spray Ink. From primary color for this card is red, so I chose Post Box Red for the ink. I used my cardboard spray box. The spray ink doesn’t dry immediately so I used my heat gun to speed things up. I then used my adhesive to attach it to the red cardstock frame.

I cut a piece of scrap white cardstock, stamped the “Happy Birthday” sentiment in red ink and backed it with red cardstock. I used my scissors to notch out the right end of the banner. I set it aside to work on the background banners.

I found coordinating patterned cardstock and cut out several pieces of varying widths and lengths. I notched out each end of each piece and placed them at different heights and stacked on top of each other. I glued them all down once I was happy with the layout and attached the birthday banner on top. I finished the card by gluing the card front to the white cardstock base and placing a black enamel dot next to the sentiment.

Here is the finished card.

This is a great design that can easily be used to make several cards by changing the color palette.

Remember to leave a comment below and be entered to win this card today and possibly the Grand Giveaway of all 31 cards on February 1, 2015.

Until tomorrow,

Birthdays are my favorite.

Card #11 – “Feel Better Soon” Card – {31 Days of Cards}

Posted on January 11, 2015 by gracieed

Before we get to Card #11, the winner of yesterdays daily giveaway is: andresue who said, “Very cute! 🙂“.

Thank you for your kind words and Congratulations andresue!

I hope you enjoy your card.

Card #11 – “Feel Better Soon” card

I started by assembling all my supplies.

I’m sure we all know people who are battling some kind of illness at the moment. This is a card that would hopefully lift their spirits.

I used white cardstock (5 1/2″ X 8 1W/2″) for my base, avocado cardstock (5 1/2″ X 4″) for the frame and pale pink cardstock (5 1/2″ X 3 3/4″) for the vellum backing.

I started by stamping the rose stamp onto the vellum with Versamark ink. I then poured white embossing powder and melted the powder with my heat gun. This made the image look stunning against the vellum backdrop. I then stamped the sentiment, covered it with white embossing powder and heat set.

I took my Distress Ink Markers and started to shade in the image.

I finished off the card by attaching the vellum to the light pink cardstock and then to the avocado cardstock. This front piece was then placed on the white cardstock base.

Here is the finished card.

Remember to leave a comment below and be entered to win this card today and possibly the Grand Giveaway of all 31 cards on February 1, 2015.

Until tomorrow,

This is what I like to do when I feel under the weather.

Paws || Walk On – 1.4 – 1.17

Posted on January 11, 2015 by gracieed

Every now and then when I’m walking dogs, I will just stop, ask them to sit for about 30 seconds and then I will say “walk on”. That is there cue to start walking again. I do this for a couple of reasons: 1. They’re super focused when they’re on the walk and I like to know I can get their attention any time I need it. 2. It’s good to continue to incorporate training into their daily routines. Just as we need to continue to refine our skills, so must dogs.

This always reminds me how important it is for me to pause and reflect on the past week and then think about the next one as I “walk on”.

Paws | Week of 1.4-1.10

• called my Grandpa in England.
• set up gift bags for birthdays for 2015.
• had my hair cut.
• prepped and posted January Card Series || Cards for 2015.
• went with my mom and my niece to Hobby Lobby. It was my niece’s first time and we were both in awe. (I’m always in awe)
• made progress with tidying my craft room.
• knitted at Starbucks with a bunch friends.
• worked on my Journal52 Art Journal (Quest46 #7)
• mailed off cards to the daily winners of my January Card Series || Cards for 2015.
• continued reading Unbroken. What an intense book!
• still working on the #clutterfree30 challenge on Instagram with @cleanmama. You can’t imagine the stuff I’m finding! Or if you know me, maybe you can ;-).
• so thankful for the sunshine this week. My amaryllis is really grateful also.
• walked the dogs everyday. Decided to keep track of our walks on a calendar. So far for 2015: 7 out of 10.
• skyped/knitted with my friend who lives in San Diego.
• worked on Margaret’s scarf.
• had another sewing lesson with my friend’s daughter. She’s doing a fabulous job. She made a pillow for her doll’s bed.

Walk On | Week of 1.11-1.17

• call my Grandpa in England.
• still need to put away Christmas decorations. This needs to happen this week because they’re starting to blend into our decor.
• knit and drink coffee with friends.
• make more dog beds and collars to sell on Etsy
• list my cards in my Etsy shop.
• pay bills.
• skype/knit with my friend who lives in San Diego.
• continuing my Photo-a-day challenge.
• celebrate my sister-in-law’s birthday.
• mail Margaret’s scarf.
• make and post January Card Series || Cards for 2015.
• continue with #clutterfree30 challenge.
• work on Quest46.

My favorite quote from the week: “I believe every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don’t intend to waste any of mine.” Neil Armstrong.

Have a wonderful week,

Are we going to be making up any of those missed walks?

Posted in Accountability, Books, Cards, Christmas, Cleaning, Decorating, Dogs, Gardening, Goals, Homemade, Journal 52, Knitting, Paper Crafting, Quest46, sewing, Yarn | Tagged accountability, books, Cards, Christmas, Cleaning, Decorating, Dogs, Gardening, goals, homemade, journal 52, knitting, paper crafting, Quest46, sewing, yarn | Leave a comment

Card #10 – “Pawesome” Card – {31 Days of Cards}

Posted on January 10, 2015 by gracieed

Before we get to Card #10, the winner of yesterdays daily giveaway is: Mary Jane who said, “Beautiful!”.

Thank you for your kind words and Congratulations Mary Jane!

I hope you enjoy your card.

Card #10 – “Pawesome” card

I started by assembling all my supplies.

Today’s card is dedicated to all my friends and dear readers who own cats. This stamp is part the the same set that I used on Card #6 – Ruff Day? I was obviously attracted to this set because of the dog, but the ball of yarn called to me as well ;-).

I used white cardstock (5 1/2″ X 8 1/2″) for my base, orange cardstock (5″ X 3 3/4″) for the frame and patterned cardstock (4 3/4″ X 3 1/2″) for the design.

I started by die cutting the patterned cardstock using a rectangular stitched die. I also die cut the sentiment “Pawesome” out of orange cardstock. I wanted to add some dimension and glamor to the sentiment so I went over the letters with Glossy Accents, a clear, dimensional adhesive and glitter.

I found some scrap white cardstock and stamped, in black ink, the cat and the ball of yarn. I colored the images, cut them out and went around the edges with a black marker to give the pieces a finished look. I then glued the sentiment and stamped the ball of yarn on the patterned cardstock. I stamped the ball of yarn because I cut off the string after I colored the yarn image.

I added foam squares to the back of the cat and the ball of yarn and attached them to the patterned cardstock.

I used my tape runner to adhere the frame to the orange cardstock. I then glued the patterned cardstock inside the frame.

I finished the card by attaching the front to the white cardstock base and adding a few sequins.

Here is the finished card.

Remember to leave a comment below and be entered to win this card today and possibly the Grand Giveaway of all 31 cards on February 1, 2015.

Until tomorrow,

Are my ears deceiving me or is mom talking about cats? Cats are our favorite.

While Walking My Dogs

Card #17 – Valentine’s Card #2 – {31 Days of Cards}

Card #17 – Valentine’s Card #2

Saturday Snippets | January 17, 2015

Card #16 – “A Just Because” Card – {31 Days of Cards}

Card #16 – “A Just Because” Card

Card #15 – Sympathy Card – {31 Days of Cards}

Card #15 – Sympathy Card

Card #14 – Baby Boy Card – {31 Days of Cards}

Card #14 – Baby Boy Card

Card #13 – Valentine Card – {31 Days of Cards}

Card #13 – Valentine card

Card #12 – Colorful Festive Birthday Card – {31 Days of Cards}

Card #12 – Colorful Festive Birthday card

Card #11 – “Feel Better Soon” Card – {31 Days of Cards}

Card #11 – “Feel Better Soon” card

Paws || Walk On – 1.4 – 1.17

Card #10 – “Pawesome” Card – {31 Days of Cards}

Card #10 – “Pawesome” card

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