Graphic 45 Card Set

Hello Everyone!

I'm back today with a blog post for Scrapbooks by Design!  

I have to admit I wasn't sure what to create for this blog post...I've recently started working with my husband full time in our SnapOn business and my creative juices have been somewhat stiffled with being on the truck everyday!  LOL

So...I got to thinking about the end of the school year which is quickly coming to a close here at the end of the month in Manitoba, Canada and decided to go with a end of year teachers gift idea.

I dug through my paper collections and stumbled upon Graphic 45's "ABC Primer".  

Perfection!

I decided that a boxed card set would be something useful and not clutter up these wonderful educators homes.  I'm sure they have plenty of mugs and trinkets hiding in closets from all their years of teaching.  I browsed the Silhouette Design Store and came up with a gift box that I just loved...and got to work!

Here's a look at the final outcome...

...and here's a peek at how the gift box opens and how the cards lay inside...

Now when you use the same collection for everything, the projects just about build themselves!  LOL

I made 5 cards to include in the box and they came together so quickly!

Here they are...

The matching stickers and chipboard pieces included in this Graphic 45 Collector's Edition make it so simple to embellish quickly and have everything looking great!

Well, that all for me today!  Remember that you can purchase this fantastic collection for a limited time at Scrapbooks by Design!  They also carry the wonderful Silhouette Cameo which made creating this gift box soooo easy!

I'd love to hear what you think about this little gift set idea!

If you have a "go to" crafty gift idea that you bless the teachers in your child(ren)'s lives I love to hear about it!

Until next time...

Like to Read?

Hi!  Welcome Back!

I'm curious about something...do you like to read?  I love to read...just wish I had more time to do it!  My problem is that when I start a good book I accomplish nothing else until that book is finished cover to cover.  So you see why I reserve my reading for when we go camping...nothing but leisure time and housework and laundry don't suffer!  LOL
And, I must confess that I simply love books & the library!  New books, vintage books...it doesn't matter.  I love the textures, the smells...needless to say I would rather read a hand held book than read on one of my "i" devices or electronic reader. 

You may be wondering why I am talking to you about books and reading today.  Well, it ties in with our new challenge over at {Pin}spirational Challenges this week.

Are you ready for your {pin}spiring photo?
Take a look at this...

Isn't that just fantastic!  A few of the great classics!
We have some great sponsors again this week...

Bugaboo 
offering one lucky winner 7 digis of their choice!

...as well as...
A Day for Daisies 

 offering one lucky winner a $12 gift certificate!

and lastly...



Digital Delights
offering another lucky winner a $5 gift voucher!

A big shout out to our sponsors for being so generous and awarding such awesome prizes!

Now, let me explain to you where I drew my {pin}spiration from this week.  Of course it's the books...and of course...I had to go with a vintage styling 'cause you know that's my fave!  But I got to thinking about who taught me to read.  My mom always read to us and has always read to my children as well.  She always knew it was important for us to be good readers!  Thanks mom!  It's a tradition I've carried on with our children as well...and has helped them to become among the top in their classes.  Being a good reader just makes life better....any teacher will tell you that is why it's so important.  That led me to think about all the hard work teachers put into teaching kids to read.  I found an awesome digi stamp at TLC Creations and decided to couple that with my "bookshelf" mega stamp background.  I took the gold coloring from the {pin}spirational photo and decided to accent the card background, the matting for the digi image and color the globe hardware in gold as well.  I added some coloring to the globe with my Tim Holtz Distress Markers and then aged the images with brown ink, a touch of brown smooch spray and a touch of gold smooch spray over that!  The last finishing touch were the 3 black gem stones in the top and bottom corners.

Here's how it came out...

...and here's a close up of the digi stamp...

Now isn't that sentiment so true!

I hope that I've been able to get your creative juices flowing for this current challenge.  We would love to see your creation that this awesome photo has {pin}spired.  Don't forget to share with us over at the {Pin}spirational Challenges blog...you'll find more {pin}spiring creations there from the other design team members as well!

And hey, while you're at it, maybe there's a teacher you'd like to thank or write a little encouragement message to.  That's what my card will be used for!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
Cards Galore Challenge Blog..."Add a Gem, Glitter or Candi"
One Crazy Stamper..."Anything Goes"
Dream Valley Challenges..."No Designer Paper" 
Digi Darla's Challenges..."Your Personal Style" (Vintage)
Paper Makeup Stamps Digi Makeover Challenges..."Anything Goes"
Without Words..."Occupations"