What's On My Desk...

Pin It Now! Since the purchase of my light box many months ago, I have taken pictures of my projects carefully quarantined to the stark white-grey of the lit box.  It's been nice, mainly because I can photograph night and day, and the color is always the same.  So I haven't had to take inventory of what's left on my desk after I finish a card.  I just pile it up and start a new project.  But I always save scraps!

Kimberly Van Diepen of Stampin' By The Sea has challenged her readers to make a card with with only what's on your desk. Easy for me, as most of the stuff I love most is on my desk :) So here I go!  Come along with me. Here's my card...

And here's how I got there.  I started by shifting around things that are just stacked.  Sahara Sand woodgrain circles, a random stamp, a butterfly.  I'd like to say that I don't usually wallow in this much stuff, but I'd be lying to you.  If I'm lucky, I have a 2' x 1' area to work, and then I'm bumping piles!  I have bowls, jars, baskets, and bins. Welcome to my world!

I decided that I like these together, and now I'll pick a background.

Ooh, this is springy!  Good, I'm going with the green.

Adding a few details, I'm not sure if I'm don't embellishing, so I'm tacking it down and I'll work some more bits around.  So far, I have a banner strip from Tea for Two and a tiny scrap of Naturals ribbon.  I stamped a Mother's Day sentiment on them.  Picked up a button from what's left of my Artisan Embellishment kit.  Linen Thread, and we're almost done.

Okay!  Done!  I placed all my goodies on an Island Indigo CS base, and added a few embellishments in the corner.  The little heart on the banner is punched from a piece of vintage poetry, and I purposely chose the word "grace" to show in the heart, as a little symbol of motherly love.  As you can see, a lot of what I use is right at my fingertips.  I love it that way, I love having all my pretties scattered around me.

 So what do you have on your desk?  Link up to Kimberly's post if you get the chance, and share with me on my post too!

Cute Carrot Treat for the Kiddies

Pin It Now! Here's one craft I had the 2nd graders make at their Easter Party today.



Just a cute little sugar cone carrot in a pastry bag, wrapped in Pumpkin Pie DSP and tied off with dotted scallop ribbon and curls of organza ribbon.




On a few, I added a punched pennant with a Happy Easter banner from Heaven Blessed.



I also included a little printable of the jellybean Easter story, which describes the religious meanings behind all the colors of the beans.

Here's a link to a printable for the story.

Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

Love You Because...dry erase frame art {Thriftypinkies}

Pin It Now!

My stampin' sister JoAnn found these frames at (lol) JoAnn's for A DOLLAR!  Get out, right? They're gorgeous and sturdy.

So I decided to try using it as a dry-erase board.


I used SU's new Attic Boutique DSP, layered it up at a 4x6 size, and added an image from Have A Seat in Early Espresso, run through the Big Shot with Decorative Frames embossing folder, and hand-tore the edges.  Then I inked the edges in Poppy Parade to match the matting of the smaller rectangle, but inked from the backside first, distressed a little more with my fingernail, and touched up on the front side only where I thought it was needed.  This way, the sponging is very subtle.  Punched two hearts from Poppy Parade and silver Glimmer Paper and set them on the chair.  I framed this portion at this point.

Below you can see that I added all the 3D elements on the outside of the glass...printed  "I Love You Because" with my computer using French Script font, and printed on Watercolor Paper.  It has such rich texture!  Then I finished the edge with Basic Pearls and added a few more in the lower corner.


Here's the beautiful part...whenever you think of another reason, you can write a little love note to your special someone and leave it where they'll see it!

AND, I discovered that our Stampin' Write Markers work wonderfully in place of a dry-erase marker.  to change the message, spray a bit of Stampin' Mist onto a tissue and it rubs off easily!

Here's my first message to my sweetie.  I also plan to leave these messages to my children. Like, "Your smile lights up the room", "you give the greatest hugs", and "your techie genius always saves the day" <3


I used The Paper Players current sketch to inspire the layout, I just made it landscape to suit my needs.  You should give it a try!



SUPPLIES:
STAMPS: Have A Seat
PAPER:  Attic Boutique DSP, Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Watercolor Paper
INK: Early Espresso, Poppy Parade, Black Stampin' Write Marker
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Decorative Frames Embossing Folder, Heart to Heart Punch, Basic Pearls,

Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

Harvest Projects - Thriftypinkies!

Pin It Now! Can you guess what I volunteer for at school? CRAFT projects! Yay! I can't get enough. We put together these super cute pumpkin mosaics...



Dollar store picture frame 2/$1.00
Burlap scrap & clearance buttons from JoAnns.
Scrap ribbon.
Elmers glue.
Total cost each, about 75 cents.



My guy with his art. Still freshly glued :)



The "patch" drying.
My inspiration came from Pinterest. Have you gotten hooked yet? I'm surprised I have time for anything else.

Here are some cute little party favors. Indian corn made from tamale husks & Stampin' Up cello treat bags. These were a CASE from the very creative & talented Rachel Ricks at The Little Blue Room.



The kids thought they were cool!

Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net