Local Card Class

Hey if you are local (Mt. Juliet/Lebanon area) I will be teaching a card class at The Scrap Room in Lebanon on Thursday, January 14 from 6:30-8:30. The cost is $15. I'll post some of the cards we'll be making closer to the date. I promise they will be fun cards, and I'll be teaching you a few of my card 'tricks'. Oh and we'll be using my new stamp set!


If you are interested you can sign up by calling The Scrap Room at 615-547-9590.

EBTKS Challenge 6

I have to say upfront that I loved this challenge. Well, let me just get to it here's this month's item challenge courtesy of Ann!

Well, you can really use any kind of gift materials. Isn't that fun? So since I love love love texture and since wrapping paper is so easy to fold (PS this would be a great time to try my second flower video that you fold), I decided to add some texture.

I started off with my Christmas wrapping paper, which I love, and just added folds. Simple but fun. And here's how the project turned out:

Jump on over to EBTKS and play along. And of course you'll want to see what those amazing girls over there did! They are sooo good. You have until midnight on Jan. 8th to link your card or scrapbook page on the over at EBTKS! The winner will be announced on Jan. 12th. The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to Verve stamps!


Cardstock: Old Olive (SU) Spring Rain (PTI)
Ribbon: Teal (Offray)
Stamps: Truly Appreciated (Hero Arts)
Ink: Craft White (SU)

Why Practicing Creativity?

I just wanted to jump over here and give you a little example of why I believe in practicing creativity. As it is the end of the year and I have some time off I, like many of you, start to reorganize my house. As I was looking through a random box I found a card I had made and written to my husband (at the time I believe he was still my fiance) years ago. It isn't a bad card, everyone has to start somewhere, but my ability to create has certainly grown with years of practice.

Now granted I could probably find some card even more basic somewhere. By this point I did know how to use an embossing gun, and check out those many embossing colors (PS. I still have those).

So if you are one of the 5 non-card makers that read this blog... you can do this, it just takes practice. Here's the proof circa 2005:

And later this month I'll see my first card in a magazine. Now, that's coming along way!

Happy Birthday Chase and December Daily 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

Happy Birthday Chase. You are my best friend. I can't wait to see what your 27th year holds. 

Also, have I mentioned that Chase is very involved with things happening at Practicing Creativity Designs? Well he is. As a matter of fact he has several things I think you will all love up his sleeve. Isn't he so talented? See that first year of college as a fine arts major are totally paying off!

And I'm still working on December Daily. I am almost done. To be honest I'm kind of wearing of the project. I think it's mainly due to the 600 other things I need to work on, but I can't/won't let myself until I finish this. Maybe I'll finish today.

Day 12: The journaling is on the back of the 12 tag.

Day 13: Chase's work party.

Day 14: A party at a friend's house.

Day 15, 16 and 17: More parties!

Well we are off to dinner and a movie for Chase's birthday!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Celebrating Him!

¹⁰But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ^[a] the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

 ¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
 ¹⁴"Glory to God in the highest,
      and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:10-14

December Daily Days 8, 9, 10, and 11

Can you believe Christmas is only two days away. I really can't. I mean where did this month go?

Well, here is the latest in my December Daily album. My plan is to completely finish it up this weekend. We'll see how that goes!

I did a lot of writing for these few days, which is a big surprise for me. Usually I don't like to write much.

Day 8:

Day 9:

Day 10: Maddie got her very own page and jounaling. The picture says "Maddie's First Christmas*" and then below "*with us"

Day 11: My work party

Just two days left for EBTKS! I think Winter's sketch is top-notch! It was such a fun one!

Happy Christmas Eve Eve!

Embellish Magazine Color Challenge with Snowflakes

Wow, it's been awhile since I made a card. It felt good to take a break from my December Daily (although I'm still loving it I'll have 8,9, and 10 tomorrow). I just love Ashley's challenges, I think it's the pictures she puts together. Here's the image:

And I'm seriously in love with those colors. I really think it's one of my favorite combos. Here's my card:

Stamps: Guide Lines, Merry and Bright

Ribbon: Brown Grosgrain, Aqua Mist Twill

Card Stock: Lemon Tart, Aqua Mist (PTI), Kraft (SU)

Ink: VersaFine, VersaMark

And I actually made a little video about how I made this card and my snowflakes. I had to cut a lot of footage out so I hope it's not too choppy!

Actually it is still loading to YouTube and I'm about to fall over. Chase and I started P90X yesterday. If you aren't familiar with it, it's this super intense workout system. Just trust me... I can't move. :)

Okay here it is:

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Also just a couple more days left in this EBTKS sketch challenge! Come join the fun!

Christmas Gifts

Hey there? Are we all so busy? It seems like the blog world is a little slower than normal. I did want to jump on here and show you a few gifts I took to work today. They were more funny that pretty.

Here's the big group of gifts I took (that large bag in that back was HUGE and a total joke):

For the girls around the office I got really long knee high Christmas socks, rolled them up and tied a ribbon around the pair of socks.

For the guys I gave them a small little thing of play-doh. I thought it was a nice little nostalgic gift.

 

Of course as a result I found out we have some pretty creative guys in our office. Check out what my friend Matt did with his gift:

Pretty good right? What about this?

Now I will say all of these figures started because of some brown play-doh and I'm sure you don't have think hard to figure out what the boys made with that.

Here's just a couple other shots of presents:

 

These are some Krystal Light containers I wrapped with paper. Super quick. 

 

 How are your Christmas gifts coming? I still have a lot of wrapping to do.

December Daily Days 5-7

Are you all as busy as I am? So far this week I've had three parties, and I have two more to go to before Saturday night. Oh and did I mention the party on Saturday is at my house! What a crazy time of year! I was hoping to get through day 8 tonight, but I just couldn't get there, but here's what I did get done (you can click on any of the images to see them larger):

Day 5: Wedding Dress Shopping with one of my best friends and cooking with my mom!

 

Day 6: Youth Leader Christmas Party at our house. Oh and funny story. Do you see this silver napkin below? DO NOT BUY IT FROM TARGET! Seriously everyone's hands and faces were silver! It was so funny.

 

Day 7: The final touches on the tree.

Here's a closer look at this year's tree. It's kind of like my December Daily neutrals with a touch of red.

If you are curious what the garland is, it's just strips of white burlap that I cut. I also used some for the tree skirt. Okay and seriously don't you love the little mini Christmas flash cards? Oh and the star I made from twigs and twine. My husband says it remind him of the Blair Witch Project, but I still like it anyway!

You can see days 1-4 here.

I'm off to bed. I can barely keep my eyes open!

EBTKS Challenge 5 - Sketch Time

Hey there it's time for another EBTKS Challenge and Winter has a great one for us! You'll never believe her inspiration for this card. I'm serious guys there is inspiration all around us! I have to constantly remind myself just to slow down and look around!

Okay so here's here inspiration:

And check out this sketch:

How fun right? And here's what I came up with. I knew I wanted to use ribbon to create the scallop effect and then I just worked from there!

Fun right? And check out this awesome book Winter is giving to the big winner...

 

I've heard it's amazing myself.  So head on over to EBTKS and join the fun!

Cardstock: Basic Black (Stampin' Up)

Patterned Paper: True Black Bitty Box Basics (Papertrey Ink)

Ribbon: Black Grograin Stripe (May Arts)

*** Ribbon purchased from Perfectly Pretty Cards

Brads: Circle Brads (Making Memories)

Miscellaneous: Vintage Ephemera (7 Gypsies); Journaling Stars (Jenni Bowlin), Cork Sheets (QuicKutz)

EBTKS Challenge 4 Winner

I just wanted to jump over here and show you the winners from the latest EBTKS challenge. Seriously you should check these out... so creative.

Anthonette

Paloma

Lea 

A new sketch challenge starts Tuesday. I'll hope you'll come join us!

Fabric Wreath Video

Well I said it was back to card making today, but I actually have a wreath project I wanted to share with you. Here's the video tutorial:



And here are a few pictures of the finished project:

Of course as always if you make one I'd LOVE to see it. Also, you can watch the video on YouTube here.

I'm off to watch the latest Harry Potter now!

December Daily Days 1-4

Tonight I had to basically force myself to set some time apart to work on my December Daily, but as soon as I did, I just loved it. This is really one of my favorite projects of the year! I love that it's for me. I know that may sound selfish, but primarily I'm a card maker and I'm making for others. I do love giving gifts, it's my love language, but this is one project that's for Chase and I (and hopefully one day some kiddos). It's also a time where I can use the best of the best of my stash and think "I'll still get to see it." It's a great way to purge!

Back on point, let's get started...

Here's Day 1 and 2 before (one thing I love about showing the before pictures is it's pretty fun to see the creative process):

And here is the current days 1 and 2:

After I starting thinking about my pages I realized that the baseball card holder was not going to work on day 7, but that it would work great on day 2. I just changed out the numbers and there you go! On day one, I knew it was not going to stay the way I had it. I do like the twist of the pictures to horizontal.  You can click on the image above to see it larger... way larger.

 

Day 3 basically didn't exist before today, so here it is now... just a simple large photo with a number circle.

Day 4 Before:

And here's day 4 now....

 

And just a close up of one of the details I love:

 

 

So four days down, 21 to go. I've already started on page 5 and I loving it. I'll try not to overwhelm you with December Daily for the rest of the month. Tomorrow I'll be back to my first love. :)

 

Winner!

The winner of my very first stamp set coming in January .... (drum roll please)...

Result: 43 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Number 43...

Heather Jensen

You'll have to go check out Heather's blog. Tons of vintage goodness over there! And... this may or may not be a hint, but I think my stamp set will fit right in. 

Heather, email me at CourtneyMBaker@gmail.com and I'll make sure you are one of the first to get my stamp set. I'm already so excited about seeing what someone else will do with it!

2 Sketches 4 You Bonus Sketch

You all are amazing! I can't tell you how much your comments have meant to me concerning my new venture! I really can't wait to show you all my first set. January seems so far away! However, sneak peaks will be coming right after Christmas! Thanks again... you've all made my month! And I'll pick a winner on Thursday.

It's been awhile since I've done a 2 Sketches 4 You sketch, and I knew I wanted to use one of my Hambly Screen Prints overlays. I thought Ashley's bonus sketch would work really nice. Here's her sketch:

And here's what I came up with (and check out all that color):

 

Cardstock: Berry Sorbet, Lemon Tart (Papertrey Ink)

Pattered Paper: Aqua Mist Bitty Box Basics (Papertrey Ink); Twigs & Weeds (Hambly Screen Prints)

Stamps: Thanks (American Crafts)

Ink: Onyx Black VersaFine (Tsukineko)

Ribbon: Aqua Mist Twill (Papertrey Ink)

Buttons: Lemon Tart (Papertrey Ink)

Die Cut: Large Rectangle Nestability (Spellbinders)

I started with my folded 5.5"x4.25" card base, die cut my rectangle with my Nestability (use a craft knife if you don't have a die cut). Then I adhered my overlay to the back and embellished from there.

Just a few other things I wanted to mention about my blog redesign. You can now search my blog. Just type in whatever you are looking for! I've tried several searches and they all worked great!

Also, I've added a contact me button. If you ever have any questions about a project or if your just curious about something ... please don't hesitate to email me!

A blog makeover and a big announcement!

So if you're reading this in your Google reader you're going to have to jump over here and see my little blog's makeover. I started designing the pieces of my new blog months ago, and thanks to the help of Veronica over at VK Design Co. it all became reality today! Not only was she super helpful, she was SUPER fast. I mean SUPER FAST. Did I mention how fast she was?

And... if you glance around my new little blog, you'll see a hint at some super exciting news I need to share. I mean because really... it says 'Store' right up there in my header. At the beginning of January I will be releasing my very own clear stamp line right here on my blog! Every few months I'll be coming out with a new stamp design! And, well while I'm at it, I'll just go ahead and give you a hint ... it has to do with the 14th day of February.

Exciting right? And just to make this post even more fun... leave a comment between now and Thursday December 10th and I'll randomly pick one commenter to send my stamp set to before anyone else gets it! You'll be my one temporary design team member! I'll start a Google group just for us... okay jk!

Happy Birthday Kaylen!

Today we are celebrating my niece's first birthday, and I needed a quick card I could whip up this morning (did I mention I have 30 people coming to my house tonight). If you've read my blog very long you know that when it comes to kids stamps I have none. NONE. I still haven't bought any and for that reason every time I need a kids card it's like my own little challenge. This morning I decided I would make a shaped card and rely on some patterned paper to give it a 'kiddish' effect.

I'm sure this card has been done, but I can't remembering seeing it. I simply took a folded 4.25" x 5.5" card and sketched my '1' on it. Then I cut it out, traced it again on my pattern paper, and you end up with something like this:

Stamps: Life (PTI); Ali Edwards (Technique Tuesday)

Patterned Paper: Sunshine Lollipops (Sassafras Lass)

Ribbon: Pretty in Pink (Stampin Up)

I think I really like it. I'd also like to say the Ali Edwards stamp, stamped so nice. I got this tiny little set at CK Nashville and I'm just now breaking it out.

And here's Kaylen's present. Isn't that monkey so fun? Oh and sorry for the glare... I didn't realize how much sun was coming through my window!

 

 

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Don't forget to enter the EBTKS challenge. Only three days left. And let me tell you, people get kind of scared of random objects like toothpicks, so if you want this incredible prize:

Your chances right now are pretty awesome! Just saying! So go check it out! 

Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger

I wasn't that impressed with the card I made Thursday night, so I knew I wanted to hit the craft room this morning. Hopefully this time with better results... something more my style. Here was the image from Pottery Barn for the inspiration.

And here's my card:

Stamps: Merry and Bright (PTI)

Pattern Paper: Eskimo Kisses 6x6 paper pack and Thin Ice (Basic Grey)

Card Stock: Stampers Select (PTI)

Ribbon: Fresh Snow (PTI)

Ink: VersaFine

Pearl: Denim (Kaiser)

Thread: Double Duty

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In other non-crafting news. I think I've finished the dining room with some framed music sheets! I bought them from etsy, had them blown up at Wolfe (I wish I would have gone a little bigger but I still like it). And I just love the fun unexpected art.

What do you think? Cool or weird?  Also, please continue to ignore my curtains. I still have not ironed, and I'm so not looking forward to it!