Monday, April 16, 2012

Handmade swaps ..

.. Wishing Wells and CJs .. just a few of the reasons I love being a member of an online community where we not only share in each others lives but also our creativity. ScrapChat has been my 'community' for a few years now and I love the close knit circle of friends I have there.

Recently one of those friends (heh Sandy!) hosted a handmade embellishment swap. We have such a talented group of women at ScrapChat; handmade embellishments are all the rage; we love to learn new techniques from one another; it made perfect sense! Plus we hadn't had one in a while LOL!! When it came to deciding what to do for my handmade embellishments I got a little stuck. LOL there were sooooo many things I wanted to do. So in the end I decided to go with an 'embellishment pack' ..

Music Sheet embellishment pack
products used:
patterned paper - Kaisercraft Timeless Collection "Sheet Music"
dies/punches - SU Circle punches 1.0" and 0.75", Die-namics Dizzy Doily Duo die, Tim Holtz Alterations dies: Caged Bird and Mini Paper Rosettes
other - Inkssentials Glossy Accents, chipboard, gold bottle caps

I had a lot of fun putting these packs together. I can see how the girls who do this as a home based business, selling on blogs, would enjoy doing this. But en masse? I don't think its quite for me. Not unless I was working with a friend. Perhaps. LOL! In any event each embellishment pack contains a doily, bottle cap, mini rosette and a chipboard bird. I hope the girls in the swap like them.

We also have a Wishing Well at ScrapChat. The idea is that once you grant someone else's wish you then make your own. Then when someone else grants your wish, they make a wish; and so on. I love cruising the Wishing Well thread to either grant wishes or get ideas for RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness). One of my friends (heh Susan!) went on a cruise with her husband and friends recently and wished for someone to die-cut her a title (x3) for when she scraps her photos. I had a font Susan liked and was able to access the exact cardstock colour she was hoping for and so was thrilled to be able to grant Susan's wish. I had some cardstock left over so also made up a few embellishments ..

Susan's Wishing Well
products used:
cardstock - SU Pacific Point
punches/dies - SU Circle punches 1.0" and 0.75", Cuttlebug Harlequin die, Quickutz Stardust font die
other - bakers twine, white brads

I'm pretty sure Susan will be happy with what I've put together for her wish. Oh and get this, another ScrapChat friend (heh Miriam!) was able to give me the specific cardstock Susan had been wishing for!!!

Finally, the last member in my CJ group to whom I owe a CJ contribution is Susan (heh again Susan!!). The theme of Susan's CJ is What makes you laugh. This has almost been the toughest theme in this group because so many things make me laugh. LOL (pardon the pun!) where to start???? In the end this is what I decided upon ..

Every cloud has a funny bone
products used:
cardstock - black Prismatics
patterned paper - Echo Park Sweet Summertime: Cool Treats, Pinwheels, Happy Spots
embellishments - Heidi Swapp circle clips, Prima Flowers (Sprites), various ribbons and buttons
alphas - Dymo black label, American Craft Thickers (foam, black): Daiquiri, Subway, Wonder
other - pure black Zig Writer, white Uni-ball gel pen
font - Optima

The title is a play on my 'MS speak'. I'm forever mixing up my metaphors and words now! Some days it makes me very, very frustrated but like most things in life, if you just don't laugh, you'll cry. Susan, if you're reading this, thanks for a great theme. Oh and yes I'll get all this in the mail for you super soon!

Wishing everyone a fabulous start to the week, whatever it has in store for you.  :)

3 comments:

  1. Love the embellies, am sure Susan will love the title pack, and I love those cards - it's ok, sometimes I mix up my metaphors as well.

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  2. Alz you already know i love everything :) Thank you sooooo very much. I lovingly placed your CJ entry into my album today and it looks great! I made you an elegant pocket for your sinister photo (lol!) for the sign in page too. Oh and you didn't mention the Kraft Resist you sent me. I was playing with a little bit today. It's over on my blog if you want to see the result? Big hugs and as for MS speak? I have been ding that for years! Lol! xx

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  3. WOW these all look FANTASTIC XX

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