Bird's of a Feather Flock Together ...

I wonder who's responsible for that cliche? Well, yes, I 'spose I could Google it, but that was really more of a rhetorical question. And these birds actually do look like they'd hang together ... they'd have no choice: the other birds would either kill 'em or laff 'em outta town!

Anyway, today's card project was created for no good reason using a really neat stamp from Magenta. I stamped my image on Xerox 110# card stock then colored it using Copic markers ... wish I could see some improvement in my Copic coloring skillz but so far, nada. I added some detail to the bird's feathers with an extra-fine point white Sharpie paint pen.

I stamped my image a second time, colored three of the images, and used them to create cute little metal-edged tags using ... guess what: a Tag Maker!

I stamped my sentiment, tied a w-a-y bright orange grosgrain ribbon around the card, made a cute little bunny-ears bow, and was done! Easy-peasy and ready to serve in ... a half hour.

Don't forget to enter for a chance to win four kewl Diva Impressions stamps ... simply comment on the post below. And your chances are pretty dang good considering there's only about 20 comments!

Thanks so much for sharing part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Card Stock Base: CutCard Stock; Other Card Stock: Xerox 110#, DCWV; Stamps: Bird Stamp by Magenta, Sentiment by Papertrey Ink; Dye Ink: Adirondack "Pitch Black" by Ranger; Color Medium: Copic Markers, Sharpie Paint Pen; Small Square Tags: Making Memories; Grosgrain Ribbon: Unknown, (Obtained in a Ribbon Share); Tag Corner Punch: Stampin' Up!; Tag Maker by Making Memories; Dimensionals: All Night Media; Adhesive: ATG 714

Free Blog Candy ... Ribbon Ring Starter Pack Giveway

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

If you're like me, you have tons of ribbons and a real problem storing them. Well, I've solved my ribbon storage problem, and hopefully yours as well!

This:

is a close-up view of the main components in the "Ribbon Ring" ribbon storage system. Here's a wide angle view of the system in use:

While searching for an inexpensive ribbon storage solution, I discovered the "Ribbon Ring" web site and was floored by this concept! I contacted the owner, Melissa Bickle, who generously offered to send me a sample kit to give away to one of my wonderful blog visitors.

To win this kewl ribbon storage system, simple leave a comment on this post and I'll have a random drawing for the winner. If you don't have a blogger.com account, please be sure to leave your email address in your comment so that I have a way of contacting you if you win.

Here's a look at a typical stamping/crafting work area with the Ribbon Ring system in use:

Kewl, huh?!? This system makes it easy to see at a glance what you have and how much you have left. Even better, no more tangled ribbons!

This space-saving system is ideal for me; the starter kit comes with one large metal hinge ring, thirty ribbon tags, and fifteen inventory dots ... all for only $10.00! You can also purchase additional ribbon tags in bundles of 30, 60, or 90. It doesn't get any better than this!

If you'd like to win this uber-kewl ribbon storage system, simply leave a comment on this post; random.org will decide the winning post on Monday, April 14. One request: please number your post.

If you can't wait, you can order your own system from ribbonring.com ... shipping is lightening-fast; I had my new ribbon storage system in a matter of days!!

Thanks for spending part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,

"Inspiration Basket" ... A Fast, Fun Way to Organize Your Themed Goodies

Finally! As promised/threatened, here's my portable Valentine's Day "Inspiration Basket" ...

The basis for this idea came from the creative genius of the very talented Michelle Wooderson. I just loved her concept and tweaked it a bit for those of us who don't have enough space to devote an entire section of our studio, no matter how small, to a rotating theme.

I know that many of us craft at the kitchen or dining room table, on a folding table in the living room or bedroom, or some other little nook somewhere. One of my crafty friends tells me that she crafts in her car!!

My portable 'Inspiration Basket' was created using a large, shallow grapevine basket with a handle. I simply gathered my Valentine's Day/red/pink/heart/and love-themed goodies and corralled them all in this over-sized basket as shown:

Now, when I'm working on a Valentine's Day project, I need only sort through my basket to find the perfect embellishment, ribbon, or rubber stamp ... I'm not wasting time plowing through my entire studio looking for red glass beads today and pink embossing powder tomorrow.

When Valentine's Day has come and gone, put all of your Inspiration Basket goodies away at once and refill the basket with the goodies you'll need and want to use for your next upcoming event ... be it a late winter wedding, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, whatever!

Kewl, huh ~~ thanks, Michelle!!

And thank you for visiting ... have a great weekend!!

~Hugs, Deb

PS: Sorry about the less-than-stellar photographs; this basket is huge and hard to capture in just one image.