Papercraft Haven and More

Making cards and scrapbook pages is not hard at all, just overwhelming with all the stuff available to you...just like scrapbooking is!  If you scrapbook you can make cards and stamp, if you stamp and make cards you can scrapbook!  The fun part of it all is the supplies that both sets of crafts gives you...that can really save you money in the long run!  I started out with stamping, designing my daughters birth announcements out of a Disney stamp, ink pad and colored pencils to color the image in.  From there, it's been all about embossing, using Radiant Pearls paint, and creating fun - one of a kind cards with what I have available to me.  I am showcasing products that are must have's in my book!  In February we are going to start with easy stamping techniques, so you will need to pick up a few "basic" supplies to get started...but remember, you want to pick up things in designs you will use, not just because they look neat.  Ad...

There are times when you make your cards that you just get STUCK.....stuck for ideas, stuck as to how to place things, etc.  I love looking over blog sites that have a lot to offer.  This is a list of some of my favorite places that I frequent: Card Positioning Systems  not only has a sketch, but they also give you ideas.  I love the ideas they have here, and the fact it is a current - up to date blog!  Great sketches and ideas here, make sure you check them out!  If you "Google" card sketches  you will get an entire list of nothing but sketches.  The sketches will come up, and will take you to other sites, I totally love Google, and find a ton of sketches that I just have to try out!  Another great place to go to is Witty Living  for 100 card sketches!  What I like about them, is they will give you the sketch and what to place there, like patterned paper #1, patterned paper #2, matching ribbon...etc.  Great sketches, great...

It's all about remembering the events in your life...  Each month I will send you a monthly reminder to look at the events and things that you have coming up this month.  Do you need a special gift, birthday cards, or an anniversary card to make or buy?  Make sure you look at your list of dates and put them on your calendars!   I know for me, I don't have much of anything in January, but my sons birthday is February 3rd, so I would put this on my list for this month, but the other birthday we have on February 24th would be in Februarys list as well as Valentines day.  However, I do like to get started on things early, so I will probably start to look at designs and cards now for this!  You can also look at the events for the next 2 months if you'd like, to be able to fit everything in that you would want to!  Then in February look at March and Aprils events....or you can do 6 weeks at a time.....do whatever is easier for YOU persona...

I love to make mini albums...from the time I figured out how, I have loved them!  For me, I have always had to scrapbook cheaply.....by that I mean I have had to use each and every item and use it wisely to be able to continue to create more things!  This year is no different, however, I am going to teach you guys all that I have learned in the past 20 years...to be able to help you create like me!  So, lets get started on your New Years Resolutions mini album!   The album will look like the one pictured  here.... I show this particular picture to give you an idea of what it will look like, and to give you another take on the old "New Years Resolutions" idea!   For this one, I made the album at the beginning of the year with a place to put journalling as I learned the item.  Switch it up to add one resolution on each page, and make sure you add a place to journal the end result at the end of the year!   Supplies needed: ...

I love to make cards that are in fun colors...such as the bright pink and green combination to the left.  I used a very simple Sizzix flower die cut, buttons for the middle, a bit of ribbon and the paper adds to the card itself.  The hardest part of the cards themselves is coming up with the ideas.  In this example, I made a simple notecard, to be able to customize the inside of the card by writing a long note if you'd rather!   Fun card to make in different colors, or 4 of the same cards to give to someone as a small token of appreciation!  Easy and cheap to do for gifts , or just because you want to!       In the example to the right, another simple notecard, I used pink and purple Sizzix flower die cuts, and white buttons in the middle of the flowers.  I cut a piece of green paper for the stems of the flowers, and used a heart punch that was cut in half for the leaves on the flowers.  Again, I used patterned pape...

 Back 20 years ago, I started making cards with rubber stamps.  I would shop at Xpedex and purchase a box of envelopes, and then a ream of white cardstock in 8.5 x 11 size.  This would give me more than enough bases and envelpes for the cards I wanted to send.  Purchasing like that allowed me to be able to make cards and use for swaps...where you make 'so many' of the same cards, send them to a hostess who will exchange them and sends the ones she exchanges back to you.  Great way to get other ideas from people and to get fun color schemes to try!  I love to make friendship cards....haven't sent them out for a long time, but this next year...well, the people that have been there for me, will certainly know how much I appreciate their kind thoughts, deeds and actions.   Cards are not hard to make...plus can be made very cheap.  I use my computer at times, stamps at times, a lot of punches...die cuts....ribbon and buttons!  I add a bit ...

Until the end of the year, I will be focusing on making cards.  Making cards can save you a ton of money, especially if you use scraps.  If you look at the month ahead for the upcoming events you have, then you can have a few onhand when you need them, instead of having to spend the time running out and finding the perfect one.  Basic card making is really easy, especially if you scrapbook anyway, you already have alot of supplies that you can use!  I started learning with card making, and then found scrapbooking and what it was used for, which helped me save money!  Cards can be a great way to just make someone's day by saying "thinking of you"...or "thank you" in a way that is unexpected.....  Customize the cards to fit someones personality with their favorite colors and things!     Supplies needed:   Card and envelope (can be found at any craft store in packages) Stamps or die cuts/computer Ribbon and but...