School's out for summer!

Today is my first day of summer break. :) It's going to be the busiest summer I've had in recent memory because I'm involved with four different trainings/internships/academies this summer as well as writing the curriculum for the new course I'll be teaching next year.

Despite all the work and an at-home to-do list that's 17 items long, I'm making three goals for OWH. First, I plan to make 100 Christmas cards by the end of the summer (and I already have 9 done). Second, I want to fill a large flat-rate box which I estimate is about 400 cards. Thus far, it's probably 15% full. Finally, I plan to host my second OWH card party. It might not happen until just after school starts since so many people travel, but at a minimum I will have the date selected and kits prepared before I go back to work.

Last night, I decided to tackle my scrap bin. It was piled about 4 inches high and I've come to realize that I don't use my scraps because I don't know what is in the bin. (I also have so many sheets of paper, it's not like I really need the scraps!) Do you know a great way to organize scraps? I'd love to hear it! I grabbed some file folders and separated the scraps into colors. While separating, I found bits that went together and was able to make about 10 cards just out of the scrap bin. There's material for a lot more cards in there as well. It feels good to make a card out of what could otherwise be trash, especially when it turns out very nice. I used a new technique I'm going to call "paper ribbon" on two cards. I love the texture it brings without lots of thickness! It's a great way to take lesser-quality paper and make it beautiful. :)

Here are some of my latest creations. The weather is gorgeous here, so I went outside to take my pictures!

Hippo by Cuttlebug, sentiment from Studio G, patterned paper by me.


Patterned paper by DCWV Animal Crackers and Pebbles, sentiment from Studio G.


Patterned paper from DCWV Spring and Animal Crackers stacks.



Patterned paper from DCWV Spring and Animal Crackers stacks, sentiment from Studio G, eyelets from American Crafts. This is my paper ribbon.


Turtle by Cuttlebug, patterened paper unknown, sentiment from Studio G, ribbon from American Crafts.





Embossing folder by Cuttlebug, stamp by Studio G.



Stamp by Inkadinkado, embossing folder by Cuttlebug.

Patterned paper by DCWV Spring Stack, brad by Making Memories Whimsy collection.