My Thoughts Exactly Guest Designer Day: Triple Scoop Waterfall Card

The day you have all been waiting for has finally arrived!  Oh OK, it's the day I have been waiting for but it was nice to dream that you all were waiting in anticipation too.  Today I get to show you a project I made for my guest designer spot for My Thoughts Exactly stamp company.  Have you seen their stamps yet?  LOVE!!  You can mix and match the words to make your own phrases.  They are so versatile!  You can evenb use each word individually as I did in my project for today.  You get to see some pictures today and a video!  Yes, I made a short video to show you what the heck my project does because poor little me had no clue going into it!

Lately I have been trying new techniques or types of projects.  I started with the step cards and made a few different styles of them.  The I tried my hand at bookmarks and made a few of those and I made a shape card on Tuesday, the first of it's kind for me.  There's probably more in there but I can't think of what else I've done.  I seriously am always trying something new...always....whether it be a new technique, a new toy, or a new style.  I am in love with learning.  On that note let's get on to my *sweet* project.

As I mentioned earlier, I am always up for trying something new.  This project is no different in that it's something I have never made before.  Awhile back waterfall cards were the rage but as is usual with me I am really slow with getting into what the cool trend is.  I am like that with everything actually.  So I had seen these waterfall cards around and never really cared to make them.  I thought you make a card, attach some flaps to it and there ya go.  You just flip the flaps up and that's it.  Well, I was wrong.  Wait...did I just say that?  Don't tell my husband!  He will use it against me for life!  I found a video tutorial and that is when I found out what a waterfall card REALLY is...an awesome interactive card!

Before I knew what a waterfall card was I already knew I wanted to use the super cool triple scoop ice cream cone from SVG Attic's Ethan's Cool Treats SVG Collection and My Thoughts Exaclty's so to find out that parts of the card can move made me even more excited!  I didn't even know if I could pull it off but guess what?  I did!  Woohoo to me! 

Triple Scoop Waterfall Card

You know you want some!!

YUM!

Now to show you what it does.  It looks like just flaps you flip up right?  The card in action is so much cooler!  Here's the video.  By the way it's my first video ever and I enjoyed making it and editing it. 

Get the link HERE in case you can't view it on the blog.   

I really hope you enjoyed my guest designer project!  If you have any questions you can email me at 19eightyexpressions@gmail.com!  

Don't forget to check out SVG Attic and My Thoughts Exactly.  The two companies are working together to bring you coordinating SVG and stamp collections!  How awesome is it that I am on the design team for SVG Attic and get to be a guest designer for My Thoughts Exactly?  I had the guest designer spot before I made it onto the SVG Attic design team and had no clue the two were collaborating.  What an exciting day for me to find out I get to work with both!!

Psst, Monday My Thoughts Exactly is debuting two new stamp sets.  You don't want to miss it!  Sadly I will and it can't be helped.  I really am bummed. 

A Sweet Treat

Hi everyone!  I feel like I've been neglecting you all and just making cards or other projects for design team project days or guest designer spots.  I decided on a whim to make a really quick and simple card using SVG Attic's Ethan's Cool Treats Collection.  This isn't for my design team spot or anything, just felt like making something that wasn't complicated!  Plus, it's HOT and I have been craving ice cream lately.
 

Popsicle shape card

First off, I didn't notice the white part of the pink popsicle wasn't glued down all the way until the picture were already taken.  Don't judge me for that!!  Hehe.

I made this card to fit into an A2 size envelope.  I made a shadow layer of two of the popsicles together and welded it in MTC to make the base of the card.  If you notice I welded it on the wrong side...uh, I meant to do that *wink*wink*.  I glued the paterned paper and the orange popsicle to the base and used pop up squares to attach the pink popsicle.  If you notice with all my cards I have to have some dimension.  I don't like flat cards or layouts.  I used kraft paper for the popsicle sticks and inked the edges of the pink and orange popsicles. 

With this new MTC (3.3.2?) I was able to cut more accurately on my Silhouette mat because now there's a Sil mat on there!  Woohoo!  No more wasting paper.  It wasn't much waste but I like to know exactly where it's going to start cutting. 

Look for my guest designer spot this Thursday.  I made something super duper sweet for that project! 

New Toy Part 1: Distrezz-it-All

I have had my eye on two tools for quite some time now.  The lovely *pink* tools are the Sew Easy and Distrezz-it-All.  I have seen them around online and at independent scrapbook stores but I have always held off for some reason until today!  I made the leap and bought both!

So far I have only used one of them, the Distrezz-it-All and let me tell you....wow!!  I have been distressing the edges of my paper by hand with Tim Holtz' distressing tool.  It works OK but I end up bending my paper and it takes a lot of time.  The Distrezz-it-All takes all those problems away.  So far I have only used it once but I love it already.  Here's a simple card I made using it.

I distressed the edges of the cardstock that the flower is on and inked the edges to give it a vintage look.  Easy easy!  I ran the paper through the machine and it was all distressed-like in no time!  If you like the distressed or vintage look the Distrezz-it-All is a must have!

New Take on a Simple Project

Well well, the day is finally here.  It's my SVG Attic design team project day!  Woohoo!!  I look forward to these days.  As I mentioned in my Christmas in July post earlier this week I am obsessed with bookmarks all of a sudden.  That project was a bookmark and guess what today's project is. 

Any guesses? 

You guessed correctly!  It's a bookmark! 

Before you think to yourself, "Not another one, you just made one" let me explain.  These (yes, plural) are not the normal everyday bookmarks you see.  They are different than the one I made earlier this week.  Anyway, I have issues with making the same thing twice.  I get bored very easily so I am always on the hunt for new ideas, new techniques, new anything so these are different.  They serve the same purpose but have a different design.  What?  You want me to shush already and see some pictures?  OK, here ya go!

Set of four bookmarks

Pillow box

There's something a little different about these bookmarks

Tweet Tweet

Who Who

 They look like ordinary bookmarks don't they?  So can you figure out what's different about these?  Betcha can't......not yet at least.  Here's some *action* shots!

Corner bookmarks

The paper slips through an opening on the right.

Slip the book page right in there

How cool is that?  They are so easy to make too!  Here's a picture of the first one I made.  A very simple one for my daughter which really only took a few minutes to whip together.  

I used a piece of cardstock, a piece of patterened paper, and some eyelets.  Telling ya, super easy!

On to the nitty gritty of how I made these little guys!

As mentioned above, I used a piece of cardstock and a piece of patterened paper as the base for each bookmark.  From there I used my little creative brain to make each one different.  Each bookmark is 2" in width and 3.25" in height when folded and 4" x 6.5" unfolded.  The cardstock is folded in half like a card but you open it on the opposite side.  You can make the bookmark open up the other way as well.  The left side and top of each is secured so that only a small slit is created into which you can slide the book page into.  I decided to secure each differently so you can get some ideas.  I'll detail each one individually.
 

1. Tweet Tweet

I used the Birds and Bees Collection from SVG Attic which you can get HERE.  I sized the birdies down in MTC to fit the bookmark and they are about 1.5" by 1" each.  The sentiment stamp comes from the coordinating stamp set from My Thoughts Exactly called Birds and the Bees which you can get HERE.  The patterned paper is ColorBok which I bought from the Target dollar bin.  In fact all the paper is from the same pack.  Oh, and guess what I found out!  ColorBok has a warehouse not too far from me where they have clearance sales from time to time!  Yay me!  The twine I used to secure the left side is called Krazy for Kraft from Trendy Twine which you can purchase HERE.  I punched holes in the side and threaded the twine through.  The looped ribbon at the top is looped and is from American Crafts.

2. Pretty Tree

The tree is from Give a Hoot SVG Collection from SVG Attic and is sized to just under 1.75" x 3".  The sentiment stamp is from the My Thoughts Exactly Birds and the Bees stamp set.  I secured the left side of the bookmark with eyelets that I set using a Crop-a-Dile.  I criss-crossed some brown bakers twine from Trendy Twine around the trunk of the tree.

3.  Hoot Hoot

The owl is from SVG Attic's Give a Hoot Collection.  I welded him to the top of the bookmark in MTC.  To make sure he's stable it's best to weld him at equal intervals on the full length of the bookmark (unfolded) in MTC and then fold together when cut.  If you don't you have a poor owl that is falling off his perch!  He's 1.25" x 1/5".  The sentiment stamp comes from My Thoughts Exactly Birds and the Bees stamp set.  I sewed the left edge and top together using a sewing machine. 

4.  Birdie House 

 

The birdhouse comes from the Birds and Bees Collection at SVG Attic and is 1.5" x 2".  I looped the brown twine around where the bird house entrance holes are and looped some of the lighter brown twine at the top.  The twine is from Trendy Twine. Hmm, are you seeing a *trend* with the twine?  Yes, I LOVE their twine!  To secure the side and top I glued the bookmark edges.

That about does it...sort of.  Just one more element to talk about.  The pillow box!

To fit the bookmarks in the pillow box I had to size the box in Silhouette Studio to just about 7.5" x 7.5".  I folded up the pillow box along the scored lines and went on my merry way decorating it.  I used the flower from the Mad Tea Party Kit SVG Collection from SVG Attic.  I centered it on three different paper flowers and topped it off with a blue jewel brad.  I used a strip of cardstock and a strip of patterned paper around the pillow box and wrapped some green twine from Trendy Twine around it as the finishing touch.

OK, really that is it!  Whew, that was long!  Now to figure out who to give this to!

 

Christmas in July

It's Christmas in July here in my little craft room.  Yes, get those gifts ready because Christmas will be here in no time!  I have already been working on my little gifts.  To tell you the truth...the people that will be getting them probably will see this here or on Facebook so they won't be much of a surprise will they?  I can't help but show you all though! I love taking pics of my projects.  I may just end up giving these goodies to the recipients BEFORE Christmas.  Shhh....

OK, on to my project.

I decided to join in on the Paper Dolls challenge this week which so happens to be Christmas in July.  They have these super cute freebie SVG files from Kadoodle Bug Designs.  Now I have seen their files before and I have never really knew what to use them for until now!  I normally use a different style of SVGs but I think this challenge has just opened up a whole new door in scrapbook/cardmaking/SVG land for me.

Lately I have been obsessed with bookmarks (*hint?*) but I don't even know why seeing that I am a new Kindle owner.  What am I going to use a bookmark for now?  I just graduated school so there goes that idea.  I have an e-reader so what's the point?  Then the other day I took my daughter to the library and BINGO!  It hit me.  My daughter could use bookmarks since I refuse to get her an e-reader.  Oh yes, this 10 year old has already asked many times for one.  Well, seeing that she is one of the few people I know that don't own an e-reader I made today's project with her in mind.  Not to say she will be getting this baby though!

Ready for pictures?  Here ya go!

Rudolph the Red Nose Penguin

Shhh, he's in disguise!

Poor guy can't reach his headband antlers to hang the ornament

Shiny red nose just like Rudolph

I used Kadoodle Bug Designs files that you can get HERE on the Paper Dolls blog.  I used the Candy Cane Stripe embossing folder from Provo Craft (I know I know...bad name but sorry...I really love my Cuddlebug and the folders!) to emboss the green behind the penguin, uh I mean reindeer.  I used my most awesome ever tool, the Crop-a-Dile, to set a green eyelet at the top of the bookmark through which I poked two colors of Trendy Twine to be used as the tassle.  As for paper, The patterned paper is from Heidi Grace Designs and is called Jolly & Bright/Gingerbread.  I picked it up at Joann's I believe.

Well, I think that about does it for this one.  Hope you enjoyed it!  Now I'm off to return my Red Box DVD before I am fined!    

Zoo Themed Invites

A few months ago I was asked by a friend to make invitation's for her son's first birthday.  Of course I said yes.  She chose a zoo theme and let me know what colors she would like.  From there she gave me creative hold.  I was to create whatever it was I wanted with the info she gave me.  That was easy enough.  I knew exactly how to incorporate a zoo theme!  

Front on invite

Front and back

I drew in the eyes of all and the nostrils of the monkey

I used pop up squares to make the faces 3D

I didn't do so bad with the eyes!  Drew in the nostril of the giraff. 

Look at all the party animals!

It's party time!

The invites are an A2 size and are double sided.  I was originally going to stick to using just one side but it all wouldn't fit.  I designed the invite wording and layout in Silhouette Studio and used the print and cut feature to cut a perfect circle around the wording. 

I decided to surround the invite with little animal faces that I got from SVG Cuts.  I used the two Cuddly Animals collections they offer.  I decided to omit their bodies because they wouldn't fit so cute little animal faces it was.  Sounds cute until you have to piece 72 of those little suckers together!

I used the print and cut feature again for the back of the card.  When I was finished with that I realized the back was way too plain so I dressed it up with the same patterned paper I used in the front cut so the stripes were laid out differently and crated a chain of silhouetted animals.  I used MTC to weld those little guys together.

There ya go.  Not sure I want to ever do invites again with how time consuming they are but if a friend asks I know I will say yes!

Pinterest, the virtual pin board

My Pinterest

So what is Pinterest you ask?  Well only one of the coolest sites ever!  It's like a virtual pin board.  You know one of those things you hang on your wall and pin pieces of paper to.  It's like that but much more modern. Before Pinterest I would just look things up on the internet and save them to my bookmarks.  The pain in that is when I need to find something I have to go through practically every bookmark to find that one picture I saved because of course I have no clue what site I got it off.

With Pinterest there's no need to have a bagillion bookmarks anymore.  You can "pin" a link or pictures/images to your "board".  Remember all this is virtual so when you see something online you like you click your pin icon (which you get off Pinterest) and you are able to pin whatever image or site you would like to whatever board you that you have created.  It pretty much downloads it to the site for you.  For instance, I have pictures of cards I found online that I like and pinned them to my "Cards" board.  Doing it this way I have everything in one place and a visual of each item without cluttering up my bookmarks or a folder on my computer.  There will be a link under the image to the site you downloaded it from and you are able to add a description and tags.

As with many of the popular social networks you can follow people on Pinterest that way you see what they are pinning and you can repin something they have.  It's really a cool site and perfect for those people that are forever looking at things online for inspiration.  One catch though, you have to be invited in order to use the site.  Either you can go to the site and request it or you can request an invite from a member.   It takes a few days for an invite from the site but if you request from a member you are able to become a member as soon as they invite you via email.

Each member is given 5 invites.  If you would like an invite email me, message me, or leave a comment with your email address.  I still have 5 left even though I have been on it for some time now.  I'm not greedy, I promise!

Welcome!!

Wow, I have quite a few new followers here and on Facebook!  Where did you all come from all of a sudden?  Well, don't go anywhere!  I like to see the numbers go up and get a little sad if I see the numbers go down. 

I have been MIA for the past few days working on invites and somewhat staying away from my craft room.  By choice at some moments and by pure exhaustion other times.  Today was supposed to be the day I finished those pesky little invites I have been working on for quite some time now.  Instead I sit in front of the TV pizza in hand with hubby next to me watching season 3 of Dexter!  Oh that Dexter!  

I just wanted to get in a quick hello before I hit the bed for the night.  I really hope to be done and have pictures of the invitations up tomorrow.  I better, they will be in the mail no later than Saturday!

Thanks for the Award!

I received an award the other day from fellow SVG Attic design team member, Anna Dawn of Memories by Anna Dawn.  It's my first blog award ever!  It makes me feel special...someone actually looks at my blog!  Make sure you check out her blog.  She's pretty crafty!! 

Here's my sa-weet blog award!

For the longest time (a few days) I thought it was a pizza!  I couldn't figure out why a picture of a pizza would be associated with a "sweet" award!  I think the picture should have been a banana split or something more discernable to the eye!

Thank you Anna Dawn!!

Here are the rules:

The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award.
The rules for the award are the following: 
1) Send a thank you to the person who nominated you and include their link.
2) To accept this award, answer 7 random facts about yourself.
3) Pass the award on to at least 8 other awesome blog buddies.

Random Facts About Kasi

Oh my favorite subject!!  Kidding!

1.  I am 31 but in my eyes I look younger!

2.  I graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor's in Sociology.

3.  I work in accounting....so much for that sociology degree!

4.  I joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 18 and spent 4 years in the service and am    contemplating joining the National Guard and becoming an officer.   

5.  My daughter looks nothing like me.  I wonder how all my genes missed in creating her.

6.  My favorite food is a bean and cheese burrito with sour cream from hole in the wall Mexican joints.

7.  I like to play video games, snowboard, play airsoft (similar to paintball), and read. 

So that's a little about me.  Now on to my nominations.  I may not exactly know everyone on this list but I love their blogs!

Jessica of Jessica's Crop Corner

Thienly of Mod Paperie

Alyssa of My Thoughts Exactly

Ruthie of September Ninth

Tamara of Happy Life, Crafty Wife

Jin of Under a Cherry Tree

Bee of Dare to Bee Creative

Announcement....ready for it?

Awhile back I had posted on Facebook that I was going to be a monthly guest designer for someone.  I didn't want to mention the name of the company at the time because I wanted to make sure it was actually going to happen.  Well, it looks like we are a go!  I have chosen the dates I will be designing.  I will have a project for July and one in September (for now).  Unfortunately I couldn't commit to next month as a guest designer because the date was during my vacation.

Are you wondering yet? 

I bet you are!

Sorry to keep you in suspense so long.....

Ready for the company name? 

It's an up and coming company.  

You may have heard about them.  

They JUST released their first set....any guesses?  

Any at all?

Anything?

Aww, come on you have to have at least ONE guess!

 No?

OK, I'll tell you then. 

****DRUM ROLL****

My Thoughts Exactly

Woohoo!!!!!!  I am so excited to be designing for them from time to time.  Do you know what they specialize in?  Stamps!  I am a sucker for stamps.  To top it off, you know who they partnered with don't you?  The up and coming company I currently am on the design team for.....SVG Attic!  I had no clue about this partnership until the date of the stamp release.  I got the news of making the design team for SVG Attic, then the stamp release and then the partnership...I was in shock.  Wait...what?  I will be designing for both?  How awesome is that?!

I am looking forward to my first project and working with Alyssa of My Thoughts Exactly.  What an exciting time!

SVG Attic Design Team Project

I have been so excited all week about the news of me being selected for the SVG Attic design team (DT).  I couldn't wait to get started on my project.  This is my very first venture into the DT world.  I am now apart of a growing company and working with some amazing and super crafty ladies.  Let me tell you a little about SVG Attic.  It's a new company that specializes in SVG files.  The creative genius behind it is Jessica of Jessica's Crop Corner.  She creates the most adorable SVGs.  Go take a look for yourself.  I promise you won't be disappointed.

For my design team project I used quite a few of the SVG collections available so you get to see them in action (not literally...I'm not THAT good).  I have been on a paper doll kick lately.  In fact, when I first saw the files I wasn't sure what I could make out of them but then all of a sudden it dawned on me and now I can't get enough of them.  I just keep dressing them up in different clothes!  Oh, there's more up my sleeve with them (in a Santa suit maybe) but umm, I think Jessica would like me to steer clear of the dolls and try something new!  Haha!  OK, I promise I will for the next project.  I just needed one last hoorah with the dolls before I say my temporary goodbye's.  Hear that?  Temporary goodbye.  They will be back!

My project today features four sets from SVG Attic (list & links below) and staying true to summer, I made it colorful and fun like I did with my beach card that you can see HERE.  My inspiration?  Nope not my home state of California...think somewhere tropical with clear blue water (CA definitely does NOT have that...water yes, clear and blue?  No) keep thinking.  OK I'll tell ya....Hawaii!  And why is Hawaii my inspiration?  Because I want to be there at least 8 months out of the year.  That's not much to ask out of life.

Aside from me wanting to live there, this year is the first in three years that we are not vacationing in Hawaii.  I am so sad about it.  Oh if only money ran rampant in my household!  No luau's for me this year *sigh*.  I wish the stamp had an "I" instead of a "we" in it.  You'll see what I mean in a moment.  I guess for now I will just stare at pictures and my card and imagine I was there.  You can too....  

Luau...

 

I sure do wish I was there....

....drinking that pina colada....

...and watching her hula dance...

...while playing the ukelele...

....maybe even catch some waves the next morning.

I sure do wish I was there.

Can you hear the music?  Can you taste that pina colada (alcoholic or virgin, whichever your preference) or better yet, my favorite drink, the Lava Flow?  Can you feel the warm water on your toes?

I think that's enough.  I'm going to depress myself! 

On a non-depressing note, wouldn't it be cruel if I sent this to someone while I was in Hawaii and they were stuck at home?!  Haha....my sister better watch out...she may be getting this one day!

SVG Attic SVG Collections used:
 
I used the wide middle step card from the Step Cards SVG Collection.

The tiki bar, luau sign, drinks, torch, palm tree, ukelele, hula skirt, coconut bra, lei, and lanterns are all from the Luau SVG Collection.

The girl is from the Paper Dolls SVG Collection.

The surf board is from the Just Beachy SVG Collection

Measurements:

Base - 7.5" x 10" (7.5" x 5" folded)
Tiki bar - 4.5" x 5"
Luau sign - 2.5" x .75"
Girl - 2" x 4" her hula clothes were sized down to fit using MTC
Palm tree - 4.5" x 7.5" (this one is triple reinforced to stay up!)
Ukelele - 2" x .66P
Surf board - 3.8" x 1.08"


I embossed the trunk of the tree to add texture.  The yellow umbrella in the back left is actually a toothpick umbrella I had laying around from a party I had awhile back.  The lanterns are held up using pop up squares and strung using twine from Trendy Twine.  I stamped the sentiment in orange to match the paper it's stamped on.  In the background you can see a hint of the ocean.  If I had the embossing folders I received the day after I made this card I could have embossed the roof of the tiki bar.  I slightly inked and distressed the tiki bar to give it more character.  You can see an orange strip on the bottom of the card.  I glued that there so the card would stay folded up a little closer.  The "Surf" sign was cut from a pack of paper that I bought from Target's dollar bins.  Actually all the patterned paper used on this card came from the same stack with the exception of the tiki bar.  That paper where the lanterns are hung are from DCWV's Linen Closet stack.  I think that's all.  I hope you enjoyed my project!

You know you wish you were there too!  We can dream together.

Wait....one last look/dream!