Lately I have really wanted to play along with page layouts and I found the perfect inspiration playing along with Studio Calico’s Sunday Sketch: 
The “Summer” die cut is my handwriting. I like how I was able to add that personal touch. I painted the die cut with several different watercolors to mimic the colors of this beautiful season. 
I think the hardest (and almost impossible) task from my manifesto will be to find a place to take a nap outside. I don’t have a hammock, I don’t have any vacation plans finalized and I have three tiny tots who are little human magnets. And the mosquitos here are treacherous! I think creating this layout has inspired me to continue to create more layouts and get more photos onto pages. And journal more. I’m reminded of this article which serves as motivation. Wish me luck! And consider making your own manifesto as a reminder to slow down and enjoy every single moment. Take care! xo, Tyra
Cards To Inspire…The Four Ls of Card Making
So, I wanted to share with you some of the back story behind why I created this little class called the “Four Ls of Card Making Design.”
I created this course because there was a time I felt uninspired and not confident about what I was creating, but I kept creating. I found that over time, the card designs I loved were ones that were born from heartfelt inspiration. From my scribbles and notes, a class was born:
So, if you find yourself in a creative rut, I encourage you to give this class a try. This class is not about replicating anything I have designed or sketched out, but really more about using whatever inspires you and turning that inspiration into great card design. More details can be found over at on my site CraftSwag. Take care and thanks so much for stopping by! xo, Tyra
Humpday Hero to the rescue: Crayons
Hi! I’m back to share a little experimentation I did with good old fashioned crayons. Using a simple and inexpensive medium like crayons allows you to experiment with color (before playing with more expensive mediums):
This card is the result of a mistake I made when I colored the card stock with crayons then die cut it…backwards. Little did I know that this mistake would produce a cool, “backlit” effect! See the subtle hints of pink and blue? My photo doesn’t do this card justice, but I encourage you to try this technique if want to add a wisp of color to an otherwise super clean and simple card.
Again, I created another card to demonstrate how crayons play nicely with die cuts.
That’s all I have for now. Explore more fun facts about Crayola crayons here. Take care and thank you for stopping by my blog! xo, Tyra
Hand Picked Challenge with SEI
Hello and Happy June! June is one of my favorite months of the year. The farmers market is in full swing, by now my little herb and veggie garden is planted (I’ve only been gardening for two years) and it’s my birthday month 🙂
I’m dropping in to share the cards I created for the new monthly challenge over at SEI:
I created these cards as teacher thank you cards and inserted coffee gift cards in the front pocket. I used red gingham patterned washi tape to make sure the gift card didn’t fall out. I wish I took a picture of the card with the washi, but like always I was in a rush and needed to get these to the teachers before the last day of school (barely made it).
Also, here is a fun tip: Create a vellum mat to soften and mute a “busy” paper pattern and allow your main card element (in this case the apple die cut and pocket) to take center stage. I just love the effect of the vellum paper.
These cards are busy, bright and a step outside of the clean and simple cards I tend to create, but I like it and I think the cards were appropriate for the occasion. So if you have time and have some SEI or summer paper you’ve been wanting to play around with, check out the SEI challenge here. There is a $25 gift code available to the challenge winner! Take care and thanks so much for stopping by! xo, Tyra
SEI May Inspiration Challenge: Still Open!!
Hello! I’m back again with a reminder to enter your crafty creation into the latest SEI Inspiration Challenge, ending May 28th. Here is a look at one of the inspiration cards:
Head on over to the blog and check out the entire card and my inspiration for this card. The challenge is open to US and Canadian residents. And did I mention that the winner will receive a $25 gift code from SEI? Thanks so much for stopping by!! xo, Tyra
CraftSwag MiniWorkshops
Hi It’s Tyra and I’m excited to announce the first CraftSwag MiniWorkshop: The Four Ls of Card Making Design.
This fun workshop is for you if:
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You are suffering from creative burnout
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You want to infuse your design with your own inspiration.
This mini-workshop will share easy techniques for inspired design and card making. Jumpstart your creative flow with tips on finding inspiration, easy layout ideas and more. Bonus cutting files and design worksheets are included with class!
Check out the course and free sample lesson here!
Be Brave
Hello! I’m here to share a fun card I created for Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking’s Galley Idol 2014. I’m far into watching American Idol (Go Caleb! Go Jena!) so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to get in on the fun!
Here are one of the cards I created:
I used We R Memory Keepers shape n tape washi tape for the gray decorative strips. I also used washi for all the butterflies. I used my computer and printer to create the sentiment “be brave.”
“Brave,” the song sung by Sara Bareillis and the Disney Movie by the same name served as a source of inspiration. Whenever I have the opportunity to create just for the sake of creating, I find myself using whatever song, quote or story I’m inspired by at any given moment. I’ll share more about how I channel that inspiration in a special announcement this weekend (smile).
Take care and thanks so much for stopping by!
Love Themed Cards
I found a few inspired moments today to play along with the latest CASE Study:
Well, shut the front door! Super beautiful card by Wida Miller over at the latest CASE Study Challenge. Everytime I look at this card I see something new! I also decided to play along with the latest Simon Says Stamp “Anything Goes” Challenge.
This is the card I created using a nesting heart die set from my digital die cutter:
And I couldn’t let those nested hearts go to waste, so here is a another look at this cute patterned paper combo:
A two-for-one-special using the nesting heart die cuts. I’m undecided on what type of nesting die cuts I prefer: one from the digital die cutter or the die cuts requiring a Big Shot. What do you prefer?
Take care, and thanks for stopping by the blog! xo, Tyra
SEI Inspiration Challenge: Color Combos
Happy Friday!
Today I want to share a another take on the latest SEI Challenge!
I am using paper from SEI’s Azalea collection for this project.
Stop on by and play along. There is a $25 gift code to the winner! This challenge is open to US and Canadian residents.
Thanks for much for stopping by my blog! xo, Tyra
A Few of My Favorite Challenges
Hi It’s Tyra and I’m just popping in to play along with two of my favorite Challenges: CAS(E) this Sketch and Runway Inspired Challenge. Here is the Inspiration:
And here is my take on this challenge:
These two challenges are some of the best around. I encourage you to play along. That’s all for now. Oh, and more exciting news coming later today. Take care and thank you for stopping by! xo, Tyra
Just Tyra 