"Hello, My Friend" Friendship card

I have been very neglectful of this blog, P. Lynne Designs for quite a while.  The reason? I have been doing other things that do not have to do with THIS BLOG. When you have plans to change the platform (Wordpress) on all of your blogs, then run into a number of problems, you tend to get discouraged, and that has been me lately.

Instead of getting into this funk, including having a recent client, who turned out to be a scammer, I decided to go full steam ahead on what I have, and along the way make lemons into a beautiful pitcher of lemonade.  

So, for this first post in a very long time (2 months), I decided to do a small swap with someone.  In the past (and hopefully in the future) I have been in swaps hosted by Tmika P, AKA Swapdaworld.  She has a YouTube channel, and for most of the year, once a month, she host a swap, where you make, for example, a loaded envelope for a group of 4 people, 5 if you include the host (which I usually do), 6 if you want to make one for yourself (which I do not).  Making swaps is a good way to expand your creativity, and you usually get some nice goodies on top of that too because everyone always includes a goodie bag with the swap it (it is not required, but you’ll feel bad if you do not)

Tmika’s requirements are simple.  Follow the instructions, have crafty videos on your YouTube channel, and you have not flaked in any of the previous swaps. 

The swap I was involved in for this month was not hosted by Tmika, but a person from a Facebook group, Scrap of Color.  It was a card swap, and I had to make a friendship/sisterhood card.  The instructions were simple, make the card, and send it to your partner.  It was a two-person swap.  I have not done one in years.

Time to see the card:

Photo By P. Lynne Designs © 2019

This card was made with a pre-made green blank card.  The corner pieces were paper from DCWV’s paper stack Maps, Text, and Ledgers stack.  I believe this was the last thing I bought at the Scrapbook Expo held in Columbus back in March.  I finally got to use a couple of pieces.  Instead of cutting it with my Cricut Maker, I freehand cutting the corners.  I did the same for the inside as well.

I took a doily and placed in the center of the card, followed by a butterfly from the same ephemera pack that the doily was in.  I stamped, “Hello My friend”, which is a stamp from The Stamps of Life.com. The stamp pack is called Picnic2stamp.  The ink is a Colorbox Pigment ink.  I usually stamp all my sentiments with Tim Holtz’s Distress ink in a Black Soot.

The inside of the card:

Photo By P. Lynne Designs © 2019

I decided to go for a simple flat inside.  I did the same thing, only without the doily, and I put a saying, “I am Thankful for You”. Nothing fancy.

Incidentally, I received my card from my partner, and she put a doily on her card too, LOL.

Well, that is it.  Short and sweet.  I will be doing more of these tutorials/showing of the card I make in a future blog.  Be on the lookout for:

• Fall cards
• Harvest cards
• Thanksgiving cards (October (Canada) and November (United States))
• Things for my trip I make for the kids

And many others, including I, hope the launch of my website and update on my Etsy shop.

Until then, happy Labor Day Weekend.

When you need a card right away…

or 

How to creatively cheat your way into a card.

Either title works for me. Blogger only allows one title, that’s it. 

If you ever run into a place in time where you need a card.  My parents had that experience today.  A few days ago, my parents were invited to a friend of the family’s birthday celebration.  Now, this was when I should have sung into action and offer to make a card for them to give to her or they should have asked.  Either way, the card was not made.  Fast forward to today, and no card. In fact, they had to get the card on the way to party.

I know, I know, I should have had a card ready for them to get, but I am now getting back into making anything. I had a slumming period of over a year, and my stash of cards ran out to the point where even I was running out to the store to buy a card.  I also was slumming in my writing, everything, and I talk about it over on the My Ambiance Life Blog for the reasons why, as well as the first post a few months ago on this blog. 

I rather not get into it now because as my pastor said in a meeting Monday, The past is the past and I do not want to discuss it.  Let’s move on.

Where was I?  Oh yes, my parents, the party, and the card. Ok, skip it.

The point to this is sometimes, life gets in the way, as well as you lose that creative mojo, and soon you find yourself in a rut.  I am on several Facebook creative groups, from Cricut groups, paper groups, and planner groups, where people have mentioned that they were in some kind of creative funk.  My creative funk was combination of life issues, financial issues, parents’ health issues, my health issues, find enough time, and feeling that you have made the “same thing over and over again, but different colors and different themes”.  No matter how hard I tried, it had gotten to the point where even Pinterest did not help, and I am big Pinterest addict. 

Around October 2018, I was asked to participate in a craft fair.  This was the first craft fair since Longaberger closed, which I always took their product to the craft fair because that was what the organizer wanted.  No matter how hard I tried to tell them that I also make products too, no, it had to be Longaberger or else. Well, in May 2018, Longaberger closed it’s doors, so the organizers had no choice but to accept my products.  The craft fair was to be held the first week of December, so I had plenty of time to make some products.  The Craft fair was also held at the same school my eldest nephew went to from Kindergarten -5^th grade. (same name, new building).  I managed to make some bookmarks, little notebooks, and some Christmas cards.  I also managed to make some business cards and sent the design to Vistaprint to get them printed.

So that’s the end, right?

Wrong.  I started working on my website again. I put some designs on Zazzle, Redbubble, and started looking at my Etsy store again.  In fact, I received two orders for composition notebooks, had a few bad months, and this month I received two more orders.  It is wonderful to be working again.

Back to the last minute card….

You did not think that I forgot about my parents last minute card roundup, did you?  Well the rest of it comes in the form of sometimes you have to let other people do your work.  Yes, I know, it cost more to buy cards these days, and you are better off buying the materials for the card, and it can be made on the cheap.  No, that is not the case.  In fact, we were the one that made everyone step up on their designs in the first place, and I am not ashamed of it.

When you find yourself in a slump, go to the store and find a nice card to give at the last minute.  Again, there is nothing wrong with it.  It shows that you care about that person and you really put the time and effort to find that perfect card for them. 

I want to talk to you about American Greetings.  They sell more than just greeting cards.  They sell party supplies as well as gift wrap and gifts, and when you shop, you get 30% off all greeting cards, party supplies, and gift wrap.  Part of this is to help get those last minute things, include party stuff for your graduate, last day of school, even first day of summer.  Hurry, this last until May 31^st.

So, where was I? New subject, my craftroom.

I have a goal for June, to finish my craftroom.  I know what I want, and I need to build the Kallax unit I already have, get another one to replace my broken bookcase (the dumpster is ready to receive it), and so on.  I also need to get the Alex drawers, and if you can guess, yes, it is all coming from Ikea.  The only thing that will be left is my computer desk, two 5-tier shelves, and the 9-cube unit, which is going in my room.

Takeaway moments:

• It is ok, to be in a crafting slump, but do not be there too long.  Rather this is a hobby or a business venture, you have to get out it.  Find out why you do not have the stream to keep crafting.  It maybe one the things that put me into a slump, or it maybe something else.  If you think it is mental, seek help because it could start off as not wanting to craft, then it could turn into not wanting to get out of bed.  Trust me, I have been there.
• If it just not having the ideas coming, seek pinterest, Instagram, or if you are not social media savvy, turn to books at the library or anything that sparks an interest in your head. 
• When it comes that idea, draw it out, use a sketch pad, or if you have one of the drawing pads that attaches to your computer, use that.  This process helps because I can use it for future card making processes as well.
• Finally, do not be afraid to admit that you were either too busy to make a card or let time slip away, allowing you to visit the neighborhood drug store, card shop, or even have another crafty friend make one for you.  Life has a way of slipping by, so enjoy those moments.  You are not week or lazy.  Life happens, and we all are human.

Enjoy this day, do not skip the small stuff, admit at least to yourself your mistake, and move forward and let it go.

Reintroduction to P. Lynne Designs

New Company Logo
Copyright 2017
Created by P.Lynne Designs

Welcome to P. Lynne Designs, a stationery company (in a nutshell).  For this first official post, I want to introduce you to the company, the blog, and the website to come.  Any questions, please email me, PM on my personal or business pages on Facebook, tweet me, or call me (614-236-4970).

The company P. Lynne Designs

First, this is a small company, born in 2009 officially as MDN Creates.  After I left my last job in January 2010, I started creating scrapbooks and cards and did that for 2 years before the company changed names from MDN Creates to P. Lynne Designs.  In addition to this company, I was also an Independent Home Consultant for The Longaberger Company. (You can read the first post about it here. (that is still pending until June 30, 2018, when I officially quit as a consultant.)

Anyway, the post at the time is a bit rough around the edges.

So, P. Lynne Designs is my “baby” of sorts.  At the moment, P. Lynne Designs sells handmade cards, scrapbook albums and pages, graphic design projects, Mini books, invitations and other stationery items, and freelance writer. 

So, why am I doing a reintroduction?

The reason for the reintroduction is to mainly introduce the public to a new P. Lynne Designs, and I never really left.  This is what happens when life gets in the way.  This is what happens when you are stuck and do not have any direction.  This is what happens when losing confidence in yourself.  You can read about it here.  It has been about a year since I posted, and I want to see how this turns out.  Besides that, I want to intergrade it with the website that I am in the process of creating and with my Etsy shop. 

What is in store for P. Lynne Designs the blog?

I want to teach you how to craft.  This was already part of the blog.  Also, I want to teach you how to set up your craft room, such as basic items or what are the best products to use on any budget.  You will learn what projects I am working on and maybe down the road, you will be able to work with me too.  Baby steps, baby steps.

As I figure out new things and products while teaching and informing you about my own projects, I do not want to make it too difficult for both of us, but it will be funny, exciting, and interactive for you.

You have a Website?

Finally, I have a website, that had to take a backseat for a while.  It will mimic some of the designs from my Etsy shop, with some other items.  I designed it using a course from Renae Christine called Ultimate Architect.  It has had its coming soon up for a while.  It is high time that I finish it.

So, that is it for now.  I am not sure of my posting schedule at this point.  I do have two other blogs, a YouTube Channel, and family and friends that occupy my life, especially during the summertime, but I will say this, it will be at least once a week for now.

Until then, you have a wonderful week, and God bless you.

Wordless Wednesday:

Graduation Party

Well, it is that time of year again, where proms give way to the pomp and circumstance, where the leaders of the school give future leaders a proper sendoff, and mothers still remember like it was yesterday they were sending their graduates off to their first day Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st grade, and so on.
I still remember the day I graduated from Independence High, in Columbus, Ohio.  In fact, two days ago marked my 31st year since that day, where I said goodbye to the staff that dealt with my brand of studying for the past 4 years.   I will save that story for another day.   These days, students have it made.  They get to go out into a world, where technology can be used in every turn, including the classroom.  If I even looked at a calculator hard enough, that was grounds for getting expelled, or at last a day in the detention room.  There was no such thing as bring a cell phone to school.  In fact, when I was 16, I did not know what a cell phone was. (oh, yeah, it was that great big brick they used on the Six Million Dollar Man to call from).  They also need to remember what type of world they live in too.

Anyway, I am attending a graduation party today.  A friend of the family's son is graduating, and of course, like any good scrapbooker and card maker, I made a card for such of a occasion. At first I wrestled with the idea, because I do not make many masculine cards.  But now I have it.  

Materials for this card:

• Card set with card blank and envelop.  I used a brand from Hobby Lobby, but I have also used Recollections from Michaels and the Archiver's   brand.  All three are just a like to me, which are thick and not flimsy.
• Doodlebug's Cap and Gown Collection.   I used the borders for all three and the stickers for the tag.   
• Ranger tags #8 Kraft cut down to fit the card, because I made the pocket for the card from Bazzill Kraft color cardstock.  
• White gel pen.
• The "E" is from an old letter set.  So old that the adhesive (Glue) dried use on the letter, so I had to re-stick it.

I made the pocket using Kathy Orta's hidden hinge method.  If you are not familiar with it, you can view it here.  I am very please with the way the card turned out.
Well that is it for today.  I will show you what I made from the paper pack that I received for the blog hop later, but be sure to come back Next Thursday for the blog hop.

Be blessed.

Happy Hanukkah too

Happy Thanksgiving.  Here is another card creation that is simply and fun.  I call it Happy Hanukkah.  I will be honest, I am not Jewish, and I do not know a whole lot about the Jewish faith or race, so please forgive me if I say something wrong.  From what I was told in my Christian upbringing, Hanukkah, which is celebrated for 8 nights and as the Festival of Lights as a celebration of the re-dedication of the holy temple. this was during the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. It was said that during that time, they thought that they had enough oil for just one night, but it lasted 8 nights.
Of course, I had to create a card for the occasion.  I wanted to capture the right moment and mood.  I knew that the colors were blue, white, and sometimes gold, and it would be used in the same way that colors green, red, gold, and burgundy would be used for Christmas.   I wrestled with it a bit more, and other than the menorah and a dreidel for symbols, that was all I could remember.  This was back when I did an internship to become a preschool teacher.

Materials:

1 image (this image is from the Microsoft image library, but any stamp or digi image will do as long as you can color it)
1 piece of cardstock for matting.  size it to the image and leave an inch or less for that matted look.  my edge is 1/8 inch.
1 card blank
Markers (I used Copic markers, but any will do)
Glimmer Mist Dazzle Diamonds

So I choose a simple menorah, back by a smoky blue mat that barely peeks through.  The image comes from Microsoft.com, and I simply printed it out on folder, manila colored.  Of course this was left over from a project I was working on.  I colored it in with copic markers, and the blend mix is Cadmium Yellow (Y15), Loquat(YR12), and Sanguine (YR18) for the middle candle, flames, and the candelabra; Night Blue (B97) and Light crockery blue (B93) for the other candles and the squiggles.  I then took the Blending pen (0) to blend in.  Lastly for some shimmer, I misted on some Dazzle diamonds from Glimmer Mist over all, and heat set it with my heat gun.  I popped the image/mat group with pop dots.   At the bottom I wrote Happy Hanukkah.  cute and simply.
the inside is left blank so words of encouragement or wisdom can be written to the receiver.  I love how this card turned out.
I find that sometimes you have to face your fears, and I was afraid that this card would not turn out when way I liked.  I hope you have enjoyed this fun but simple card. Be blessed on this Thanksgiving day.

Happy Autumn

Hello, I have made this card for the Card a Day Blog today, and the card is super simple, because I love simple.  To make this card, you will need to do a little prep work to the card blank, other than that, this card does not take long to make.  

Ingredients:

1 card blank, folded in half, cut off about an inch off to make it asymmetrical at the bottom.
1 card mat cut smaller than the card blank itself.
felt leaves, acorns, and pumpkins.  The ones I had came from American Crafts Holiday House Fall collection.  This is a discounted item in many stores, so the best place I can say to find them is either on Ebay or make your own , using brown, green , red, orange, and yellow felt.  It can be cut from a die cutting machine (manual or electronic), punch, or freehand.
Gel pen (white) and a black fine tipped marker.

Glue the mat on the inside, and glue small felt leaves, acorns, and pumpkins at the bottom of the card as shown.  Next, glue bigger leaves, acorns, or pumpkins on top of he card.  Write or print out the words, "Happy Autumn" on the card.  for a more decorative touch, doodle little dashes on squiggly line around the edge on the inside and outside of the card, as also shown in the picture.  This is a fun card for the kids to make, and you ca change out the felt pieces for different times of the year.

Enjoy, and Be blessed, everyday.

Related articles

• Pumpkin Seeds
• Autumn Birthday Card
• An Autumn Birthday
• 15 Easy Fall Decorating Projects

Mom card.

I am lucky to still have my mom.  She just had a birthday recently, and my father got her a new car, an Ipad 2, and a cruise (they took it the last week in February).  Mothers are wonderful especially later in life.  They are no longer an authoritative figure (eat your peas, make your bed, I would not go out in the rain with THAT on), but they are your best friend who now ask if you ate your peas, cleaned your house, and ask if you need a jacket)  She will always be special to me.

I am all about simple cards, and this is no exception.   The ingredients for this card are:

Card blank
Digi stamp or regular rubber stamp (in this case I simply printed a digi stamp from my computer)
Ink for edging ( used Stampin ! up's Regal Rose )
Pop dots for popping up the image.
Copic Markers (V15, V12, BG72, B91, YR00, E53, R24, YR12, G17, G82, Y15, E29, E25, 0)  The breakdown is as follows:

Hair: E29 and E25
Face: E53 and YR00
Lips: R24
Eye Lid: B91
Flowers in Hair: BG72, V12,Y15
Flower bouquet: G17 and G82 for leaves; YR12 and Y15 for flowers; E25 for sprigs

I used the 0 (blender) to help take away any ink I did not want on the image.

I printed the image on white cardstock, matted it in the same color.  Next, I colored the image.  Note:  I took no special classes other than read from scrapbooking books and magazine on how to basically color with Copic markers.  there are classes you can take, and one day I will become certified.  For now that is not in the financial plans.  I placed ink around the edges (my signature move).   I already had a card blank that I previously rounded the corners on.  I popped up the image with pop dots and placed on card.   I left the inside blank for now, but this is the card I am giving my mother on mother's day.  It is nice to have something done so I can concentrate on other things, and hopefully my brother and sister will follow through on that day.

I encourage you to take part in the Challenge over on The Card a day Blog.  Until then, I will see you later, and thanks for stopping by.