Carol's Rebel Challenge- Hoarder's Anonymous

What paper crafter doesn't have a stash of hoarded items "too pretty" to be used?  I have been getting better about using my favorite stuff and not saving it since I realize I have more paper than I'll ever use.  Carol's challenged us to make a card with things we've hoarded in the VCMP- Rebel Challenge. 

The patterned paper I used on this card is paste paper I made in college.  About a year ago, I finally started using my paste paper stash, one sheet at a time.  I've used four or five sheets up and have about ten left.  I remember having a great time making the paper with my roommate and some other friends from our dorm at the Lit House one Saturday.  Our good time came to a bit of a halt when Mike, the master printer teaching the class, sliced his finger badly on the paper cutter.  We offered to help him get to the hospital, but he wouldn't accept our help and drove himself around the corner to the emergency room.  Several hours later, as we were cleaning up, he was back to see how we were doing and show off his stitches.

The other items on the card have been in my collection at least several months.  The bee stamp is one of the first clear stamps I bought in 2008.  It's colored with Copics and punched with some of my earliest paper punches.  The eyelets are a few years old, too.   The bottom of the banner is punched with a MS punch I bought last fall and haven't used too often.  The sentiment was also purchased last summer and has become one of my favorites.  The ribbons are Michael's Halloween ribbons from last year's clearance. 

This challenge was great because I was able to pull out some materials I hadn't used in a while and give them some attention!  Thanks, Carol, for hosting an inspiring challenge. 

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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 620 blank and 200 AnyHero (as of 4/24)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695
Check out OWH at www.operationwritehome.org to learn more about its mission and how to get involved.

Happy Birthday

Recently, Caro posted that she was running short of birthday cards to send her OWH contacts.  I cannot tell you why, but birthday cards are my least favorite cards to make.  I even prefer making sympathy cards to making birthday cards.  But our heroes need more birthday cards, so I did my best to oblige.    Despite the weird shape of some of the photos (thanks, Blogger!) I can assure you these are all A2 size. 

The yellow card uses OWH Sunday Sketch #38.  How are you doing on the sketch challenge for 2012?  This card is so far out of my normal comfort zone but I love the result.  The sketch pushed my creative limits.  That's why I love sketches! 
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Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 302 blank and 200 AnyHero (as of March 4)
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

Have a Splendid Day!

I've been slowly using the paste paper I made way back in college over the past few months. This plum paper turned into 8 of these cards. Paste paper is meant to be used for the covers of handmade books, but since I've never made any books, I thought it would be great for cards. I love the variegated colors and kind of want to make more paste paper. Perhaps when I use up the dozen or so sheets I have, I will invest in the supplies to make more.

This card also uses a rose stamp from Inkadinkado, a sentiment from American Crafts, gems from Jo-Ann's dollar bin, and a corner punch. The corner punch helps this card qualify for OWH's midweek throwdown (though a corner punch is arguably the least interesting punch I could have chosen). It's also based on an OWH Sketch, did you notice? It's number 31!

Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: none thus far, but my box is filling up nicely!
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695

CAS Thinking of You

This CAS thinking of you card is one of my favorite cards I've made recently. I used a cling stamp (perhaps from i-cling, but I've tossed the packaging and don't remember) to stamp tree trunks. I punched paste paper circles for the leaves and cut 1/4 inch strips for the trim from the same paste paper. I used a "Thinking of You" sentiment from an Easter set by SU. I finished the card by rounding two corners and lining the inside with white paper. This is such a simple card, but I think the paste paper's texture and shimmer makes it look more complex than it is. The shimmer didn't photograph well, but nonetheless, it's there.

I saw a card similar to this with three trees on a blog recently and I cannot remember which blog I CASEd from. If it's you, please let me know so I can link up to your post!

Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: none thus far, but my box is filling up nicely!
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695