More About Sparkle Watercolor Gel Crayons (and card opinions needed)

I had a very last-minute surprise this weekend. Sadly, it wasn't without its disappointment. My childhood friend was supposed to be in town for the SNAP Conference. Unfortunately, she couldn't make it at the last minute. On a bright side, she gifted me her ticket. Wasn't that the nicest?!

With only a day's notice, I didn't have much time to prepare, so I printed the made the finest business cards (ghe-he-ta-o!) the morning of and brushed a stroke of watercolor paint across my name using my yummy watercolor gel crayons from Lulu's Boutique in Gardner Village.

Where to Buy

There was such interest in these at the show. At least half of those who saw my card asked about the paint because it has such a pretty shimmer. With that in mind, I thought I'd offer a link to where they can be purchased online if you aren't a Utah resident and able to shop at the adorable Lulu's Boutique (LOVE that store!). Using my new marketing skillz, I'm listing an affiliate link in case you want to make a purchase and support my small business as well. If not, no worries. <3

Watercolor Card Thoughts Needed

In similar news, I created a few cards over the weekend and would love your thoughts. They're encouragement cards for a few friends who could use a little love and light right now. Trying to decide which design I like the best. Do you have a favorite? I'd love your input and help!

Option 1: Sun with sky

Option 2: Sun without sky

Option 3: Sun with bitty hearts

Option 4: Heart and sun

Option 5: Sun with rainbow

Is there one style that stands out to you?

Speaking of help, thanks SO much for all of your kind words in response to my last post. I was absolutely overwhelmed by your comments, FB note and messages, emails, phone calls, and texts. I feel beyond loved and know that will make the blue rhythms easier. Thank you from my heart.

I painted bitty hearts on the inside.

Cheers!

Essentials by Ellen June Pin-Sights Challenge

I'm always flattered when a craft-industry friend reaches out and asks if I'll participate in a guest blog post. I've known Ellen Hutson and Julie Ebersol since my early days at Paper Crafts magazine (some 9 years ago), so participating in this one for the Ellen Hutson store was an easy yes. 

 

What is the Pin-Sights Challenge? Once a month, the folks at Ellen Hutson create an inspiration board using images pulled from Pinterest, which crafters use it as a jumping off point to their creativity. This month's board is absolutely stunning! Check it out. 

 

I was sent the new and wonderful Mondo Magnolia Essentials by Ellen stamp set and die set, designed by one of the cutest card makers I know, Julie Ebersol. Don't you just love it?

So, with my stamps and dies in hand and my inspiration in place, I set to work. I was asked to do A CARD, but I couldn't help but do a bit more than that. I ended up creating two cards and a layout. 

 

The key to each of my projects was vellum, which I stamped, heat embossed (some of the pieces) and die cut. I love the soft look vellum adds, and this delicious assortment by Doodlebug Design worked perfectly with this inspiration board! 

For the cards, I also used my watercolor paints to add a soft background. The cards are made using watercolor paper. 

And a little machine stitching and sequins were added to complete my designs. 

YOUR TURN

Want to win a $50 gift card to the Ellen Hutson store? Enter by participating in this Pin-Sights Challenge on the Ellen CLASSroom blog. To be eligible, you must use an Essentials by Ellen product and this inspiration board. You'll find info on the Ellen CLASSroom blog about uploading your design. A random participant will be selected. Good luck!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope this pretty inspiration piece and my projects have you inspired to create something sorbet-y sweet this summer. Hope to see you in the CLASSroom soon. :)

Cheers!
Megan  

World Card Making Day

What feels like ages ago, as a young magazine editor, I was tasked with helping set up World Card Making Day (WCMD). Actually, at the time it was Nat'l Card Making Day (a day founded by the Paper Crafts magazine team at that time—Jennafer Martin, Cath Edvalson, Stace Hasegawa, Junko Barker, and Stacy Croninger), but I suggested we change it to World (for a few reasons), and the holiday was born. While I may no longer be a full-time magazine editor, you can bet I'm still an avid card maker, and I love that this holiday is still going strong. 

To celebrate, I created a couple of cards. The original idea behind WCMD was to kick off the holiday card-making season, so I created this Christmas card. 

This one was so simple. I tore some strips from an old book, colored the edges of those strips with a paint pen by Elmer's, and then stitched the strips to my card base. From there, I added a few sequin ornaments for a bit of festive sparkle. 

My next card was created for the Scrapbook & Cards Today (SCT) Magazine blog. 

Being a copy editor for this magazine is so great, but I love that I also get to put my crafting abilities to use from time to time. 

Finally, as a sneak peek, I created this card, which I'll be sharing tomorrow on the SCT blog as part or my Monday with Megan post. It's for a friend who is currently undergoing breast cancer treatments. With this being breast cancer awareness month, it felt like a good reason to also share it here. 

Like my tree card, I simply used pages from an old book (card base and "ribbon"), a paint pen (pink this time, also from Elmer's), and my sewing machine. I then added stickers from Maggie Holmes ("beautiful") and Making Memories (&) to complete my design. 

 

As promised, I want to offer a WCMD party favor. Comment here between now and Friday, Oct. 10 for your chance to win a card-making grab bag. I'll randomly select a winner from comments received. Thanks!

Happy WCMD, friends!