Let's Try This Again, Shall We?

So quite a while ago I decided I was going to start "getting my cards out there" for everyone to see, and potentially open a shop on Etsy (an online forum where people sell the most amazing homemade/handmade items). However, life happened and my plan got put on hold. I am back and ready for action though, and I think this is the perfect card to post today.

The stamp is a girl swinging and the sentiment says, "the sky's the limit". That is how I feel about my love for crafting and the potential to sell my cards. What I have discovered is I am only limited by my own inhibitions and reserve. Well today I am throwing all caution to the wind and starting my adventure.

I am starting an Etsy shop called "CardsByLauraFinnegan" and you can reach it either with the link at the side of this blog or by googling the above title. You can also get there by going to http://www.cardsbylaurafinnegan.etsy.com/ . I hope you all check it out and pass on to your friends who may be in need of something handmade, that I am out there.

My focus is on sincere, simply stated cards that convey their message without being "over the top" or "too much". If you have a specific need for a card, invitation, etc, you can contact me via email or through etsy and let me know, and I will do my best to create it.

The shop is a few days from being "stocked" and up and running, but I am really excited and I can't wait to hear what all of you think about it.

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Paper: Spring Rain, Dark Chocolate, and White cardstock (PTI); Green Gingham Patterned Paper (Nana's Nursery Baby Boy Premium Stack by DCWV)

Ink: Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up); Thatched Straw (VersaMagic)

Shading/Coloring: various Copic Markers (sorry it has been a while since I actually created the card and the exact markers used escape me)

Stamps: Swing Girl (A Muse); "The Sky's the Limit" sentiment (A Muse); Yellow stamped background "Big Block" (A Muse)

Embellishments: Lemon Tart Topnotch Twill Ribbon (PTI); Buttons; Sew Mini used to adhere paper to cardstock

Friend Card Challenge-Papertrey Ink

Another day, another Papertrey challenge. Today, the object was to make a card to send to your best friend. There is nothing more important to me in this lifetime than family and friends...nothing. And to be able to participate in a hobby that allows for me to create something tangible that I can give to the people that I love to let them know what they mean to me, is such an incredible blessing. My friends truly do brighten even the darkest of my days.....




Paper: yellow A-2 size card (Jo-Ann); Floral "Pink Patterns" (PTI); white cardstock (PTI)
Ink: Thatched Straw (VersaMagic); Basic Black (Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Chair and Lamp (A Muse); You Brighten My Days (A Muse); Background Block (A Muse)
Embellishments: Berry Sorbet Saddlestitch Ribbon (PTI); Pink Rhinestones (Kaisercraft)

"Feel Better Soon"

Above is a card that I made a while back using one of my most favorite stamps. The boy fishing on the end of the dock makes me smile every time I see it. I grew up spending a portion of each summer on a lake and this brings back wonderful memories. It is an image that I think would bring a smile to the face of anybody who may be down, and that is why I used it for a "get well" card.

Paper: Craft Cardstock (PTI); Chocolate Remix Polk-a-dot Paper (PTI); Vintage Cream Cardstock (PTI); Navy Blue Cardstock (PaperZone)

Stamps: Fishing Boy (A Muse Art Stamps); Waves (A Muse Art Stamps); Feel Better Soon sentiment stamp (Penny Black)

Ink: Basic Black (Stampin' Up)

Coloring: Copic Markers (B23, R00, E29, and shaded w/ C-1)

Accessories used: large scalloped and regular Nestabilities Oval Dies; Brown Ribbon (Jo-Ann)

Ready or not...here I go!!

For a little over a year now, I have been falling in love with making cards. Really, all my life I have been a crafty gal, but the "stampin' passion" is relatively new for me.

Anyway, I have decided I am going to get a bit more serious about this love affair, and begin to get my stuff out there.

One of my most favorite stamping companies, Papertrey Ink, is turning 2 this February and they are having a heck of a birthday celebration. As part of the festivities, there are many card challenges, and I have decided to finally take the plunge, get my feet wet, and join in on the fun.

Here is a link to Nicole's blog: http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/
and here is what I came up with for the challenge:




Stamps: Trajan Monogram alphabet (PTI), Happy Everything (Stampin' Up)
Paper: Craft cardstock (PTI), Dinosaur Patterned Paper (Basic Grey), Brown Polk a dots (PTI chocolate remix collection), Ripe Avocado and Vintage Cream cardstock (PTI)
Ink: Ripe Avocado (PTI), Chocolate Chip and Really Rust (Stampin' Up)
Embellishments: sewn w/ white thread; chipboard accents by Basic Grey