Thursday, February 26, 2015

Hi, All!

I'm working on some Mini-Albums.  I have about 5 or 6, I just have to finish them up with embellishments.  That seems to always halt me. . . lol.  I'll be finishing them up in the next week or two and then I will make some videos to show everyone.  I hope you like them. . . they're my FIRSTs.  Very new to making them.  I have been following several youtubers who are remarkable at making these mini-albums.  I hope I remember who is who when giving credit. :)

I am also dabbling in ATCs.  I am very new to those.  I'll show those off, as well. . .as soon as I have completed them.

Stay tuned!

Thanks for stopping by.
Gloria :)

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

WOW! It's been a long time. . .

I can't believe it's been almost a year since writing to my blog. That's too long. . .my apologies. I have been sick for quite a while, which has caused me to not be as diligent in keeping up with everything.  

Last year, I had 3 graduations to make favors for: my cousin's daughter (my 2nd cousin), my niece's stepdaughter (my niece, too) and of course. . . WOOHOO!!! MY SON!!!  By the time I finished making the favors for the girls, I was starting to get sick again and didn't accomplish all I wanted to for my son, but it still turned out well.  I was planning on sharing with you the favors and tutorials, but. . .I was sick.  

I started feeling better again, but then got a cat for my daughter - I overindulge my kids sometimes - got sick again. This time it did not want to go away. I tried making cards and favors to share with you, but I basically lost my voice. . . hubby and kids didn't mind too much. . .lol

The holidays came and I was still sick. . . grrr.  Not what I need during the holidays. . . .way too much to do and there's never enough time to do what you need during the holidays anyways, so being sick really messed that up.

On my birthday this year, January 18, I went to the ER and stayed for four days. Last week, same thing. . . went to the Dr. and she sent me to the hospital. . .3 days.  Turns out my heart and lungs don't play well together. . . lots of major changes are about to happen in my life. . . but not my crafting.  

I'm re-organizing and getting ready to flood you with cards, mini-albums, favors and whatever else I want to create.  I've started several mini-albums, just have to finish with embellishments or putting all the pieces together.  I may do a video showing you what I have done so far. . .even if they aren't completed.

Looking forward to creating and sharing!!!!

See ya real soon!!!

Gloria :)

Friday, March 21, 2014

Happy Easter Eggs Card

Hi, All!

Well, I've finished my next video tutorial and I'm on to my the third one. Still a bit nervous and tongue-tied, but I'll get the hang of it soon and eventually sound like some of the pros out there. I do, however, have to remember to check the battery life on the camera. . .OOPS!! ;) hehehe

I enjoyed making this card. . .I loved making the grass and using the Satin Stitched ribbon-It's so soft!! I'll have to buy some more ribbons from Stampin' Up!

Here's a pic of the card I made and you can view the video HERE


Here is a list of all the materials I used to make this card:



Hope you like it! 

Enjoy! 
Gloria :)

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Ladybug Card

Hi, All!

I wanted to share with you my first REAL card tutorial video. . .YAY!

My niece called me and wanted some ideas for her daughter's first birthday. . .her theme is Ladybugs.  I came up with this invite for her and decided to make a Birthday Card Tutorial.

You can see the video here


Here's a list of materials, and links, used for this Ladybug Birthday Card:

Thanks for stopping by!

Enjoy!
Gloria :)

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Box-Making Shim

Have you ever made a box, but your top lid is just a bit tight, which then causes your bottom box to buckle slightly on the sides? GRRR. . .

One Christmas, sorta-kinda, tradition I have is making boxes out of the cards we have received.  I have issues with throwing out things.  I think it's called hoarding, but. . .that's a whole new blog session.  Anyway, as I said, I make the cards into boxes. I tear the fronts and backs apart, and then score them 1" on each side.  Mind you, I've been doing this since about 1985, so I used to use a ruler and any blunt item I could reach for. I don't even know if a 'scoring' plate was even thought of back then. So, after I scored them and folded them, I'd put them together.  Couldn't figure out why they buckled, but at the time I really didn't care.  It's not like there was youtube or blogs where someone would see it and 'comment' on my mistake. ;)

After several years, it did start to bother me and I figured out what the problem was. DUH, the top lid needed to be a bit larger. I tried to score just shy of 1". . .BRILLIANT!! Unfortunately, only some of them were perfect fits and some were too big.

Now I have my Simply Scored and it has 1/8" increments. YAY. . . NOT!  I still have issues with the box lids. UNTIL. . .(imagine angels harmoniously singing here). . .I came across Connie Stewart's youtube video about her Box Shim. OMG. . .I'm saved from box-making shame.

Here is one of the first boxes I made using this shim:

Yep, that's a Pepsi box.  I prefer to use what I have here at home, before having to go and purchase stuff.  Don't get me wrong, I have no problems 'going shopping' (ask my husband), I would just rather it be worthwhile shopping. . .you know, like for shoes!!. Well, as you can see, that lid fits perfect!! To quote a very famous blonde: "Not too big, not too small. . .it's just right!"

I made this box for my friend's valentine.  She loves CHOCOLATE, so I made her a bouquet roses made with Hershey's Kisses and a FRIENDSHIP Valentine mini album.
This is the not completed step. Still had to add the leaves and the tissue paper and cover the box with some paper.  My latest love is the Sweet Sorbet Designer Paper in the Sale-A-Bration catalog (Stampin' Up!)  It, along with some other great items, is FREE with every $50 purchased.  It's gorgeous paper!!

Back to the shim.  Connie's shim works, because it adds just a hint of space to the edge of the Simply Scored, which is a win-win for all box-makers. Here's a pic of mine. I love it. I've been going crazy making boxes lately.  Who knew a simple little tool would make me so happy? Probably Connie. . .LOL It's great, it's handy, it's perfect! Did I mention I love it?!!  Thanks, Connie!!

You can see her video with just one click: Connie Stewart Shim

I hope this helps you with your box creations!!  Thanks for stopping by!!

Enjoy!
Gloria :)


Friday, February 28, 2014

A Little Behind. . .

Oh my gosh. . .I am so behind on here.  I uploaded 2 videos to youtube.  The first one is a picture show of my very first Paper Pumpkin Kit and the cards I made.  You can see it here: My Paper Pumpkin

The best part of this kit was my FREE Markers Set!  FREE is always good.  If you're interested in learning more about Paper Pumpkin, you can go to www.mypaperpumpkin.comHurry, the FREE Markers Set deal ends March 31st (11:59 MST).  If you're still unsure, try the Paper Pumpkin Try It Kit - however, this DOES NOT include the FREE Markers Set.

 I am so excited for the March Paper Pumpkin kit to arrive. . .it's like having my birthday every month. I receive a package and it's always a surprise!!

My second video was a quick Look-See of a Card Deck Mini Album.  Check it out here: Card Deck Mini Album  I had intended on making the REAL video tutorial on that, but soon found out there's more to "wanting to do a video tutorial" than I thought. . . LOL

GOOD NEWS, though!! I recently acquired certain items needed for this process, so. . .YAY. . . I will be making videos VERY SOON.  Now I have to gather all the supplies and materials for the albums and cards I want to share with everyone.   I will announce that here.

Please come back to check on any updates. 

If you need any Stampin' Up! supplies, stamps, papers, punches, etc.--stop by store:
www.ucanmakeittoo.stampinup.net

Two ways to get our catalogs:
Online PDF: You can download the catalog directly to your computer or view it online (saves space on your hard drive)

Hard Copy: If you would like the hard copy of the catalog(s) in your hands, please let me know by email and I will send it your way.  ucanmakeittoo@usfamily.net

Well, thanks for stopping by and please come back. . . I'm just getting into the groove with all of this. . . so, I promise. . .this (and me) will only get BETTER!!! :)

Enjoy!
Gloria :)

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Hi, All!

This is my Friends Defined card.  I was making a card for a good friend of mine and decided to share with you.  I hope you send this off to your Best Friend(s).

You can find the video at YouTube.  Please subscribe to my channel.  I will be improving on the quality of my videos soon.  Meaning, it will be a video and not a slide show. . .LOL

I love this card because of the embossing.  I used the Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder. . .I think it made a plain card really pop and added a bit of elegance!!

Supplies Used:

Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder - Clearance Rack Item
Basic Rhinestones Jewel Accents
Midnight Muse Stamp Pad
Beige Card Stock 8-1/2 X 5-1/2, score at 4-1/4, fold it down and use your bone folder for a crisp fold.
White Card Stock  Card Stock: 5 X 3-3/4 and 4 X 2-1/2 (emboss these)
Light Blue Card Stoc: 5-1/4 X 4 and 4-1/4 X -3/4 and a strip at 3-3/8 X 1-1/8
Adhesives: Stampin' Dimensionals, Tombow Multipurpose Glue and SNAIL Adhesive
Other Tools: Paper Trimmer, Paper Snips and Cosmetic Wedge for the edging on the label.

I hope my supplies list and video help you in re-creating this card for your friends.

Enjoy!
Gloria :)