More looks...

Today's offering...A twist on a past favorite!
etsy store is open... but not fully stocked yet! More everyday!
Have a great weekend!

Fall Preview... here we go!

So with the kids back at school and the house safely tucked in... I am resuming greeting cards for etsy (www.allisonpapercrafts.etsy.com), the Muse (downtown Frederick, MD) and Art Partners (Clarksville, MD).

Here's a sneak peek at a card I am working on... some younger themed cards for kids to give to kids! This is a Stampin Up stamp set and designer paper. Shimmery silver cardstock with vellum and dimensionals. The penguin layer has a frosty white glitter all around the edge.
My etsy store will reopen on or about Sept 1 and the stores will start to stock the first week of Sept.

Hope you are all enjoying your day! Check back often this week for more sneak peeks!

First day of school for us...

I have about 30 min before I have to get the family hustling and bustling this morning. Today is the first day of school for our girls. like I have heard from so many others... I can't believe how old they are getting. Time flies faster and faster each year. There doesn't seem to be as many "breathing" stops along the way. We got our outfits ready last night (another sign of growing up...) and got all our back to school paperwork filled out (my homework).

My heart is beating a bit harder right now and I am running all scenarios in my mind on how the day could go for them. I know they will be just fine... they are such able children and have shown me, time and time again, that they can handle these milestones.

August ATCs are swapped!

I am mailing out the swaps for the sept atcs tomorrow.We had several new players from SCS and it was so much fun!
The theme was pets/animals.

Here are 2 pics of the cards

birthdays!!! Love'em!

Recently I was asked to make some cards for the younger peeps to buy for their friends. Altho this one can go either way... I thought I'd share it. It's a cute glittered butterfly (cut with SU exclusive BIGZ die) card with linen thread, glass beads and a perfect scalloped edge! the inside is lined with paisley designer paper.

I added the second (more blurry) picture to show some of the inner lining. I must've taken 50 pics this am of this one card and I was just having a crazy moment. So I apologize for the poor quality of foto...

I plan on making lots more tween-age and teenage card themes in the weeks to come!

Today is open house at the school... get to meet the teachers and drop of our supplies.

signing up for HOUSES atcs swap for Sept

We are currently signing up for the September 2009 atc swap . Theme: DOORS/HOUSES.

You make 3, one of a kind artist trading cards (2.5"x3.5" baseball card size) and send them in to me. then I will swap them back to you! You will not get any of you own in return, so if you love one or all of your cards, make an extra for yourself!

DEADLINE to sign up is AUG 31, 2009
DUE DATE: SEPT 20th
Swap out on Sept 25th.

3 for 3 swap.

here's a sample of a card I made.
you can make it any way you wish. Collage, stamps, free hand... just please remember to do your best work... something you are proud of. Also, avoid too much bulk. They tend not to do well during transit.
If you are mailing them to me, you will need to include a self addressed, stamped envie with the same amt of postage it took to send yours to me. include 1 loose stamp which will be returned to you if not used.
sign the back of your card and make sure you put your name on any ziplock baggies or packaging.

If you want to sign up, you can comment here and I will email you info on how to swap and where to send them.
Unlimited players. Swapping effort for effort the best i can.

I really hope you will join us in this fun swap. It really does force you to take time to relax and enjoy yourself in this busy go-go-go world!

See you soon!
~Allison

back again...

The girls and I spent 4 days at the shore for a mini vacation. It was so much fun. the weather cooperated perfectly... 80's each day, slightly overcast! Hardly needed an umbrella til the last day. The water was perfect, the sand was fun! We really needed the time away and it was wonderful!

Now we are back... can you believe that school starts in exactly one week?! It's really early this year. Gotto get busy on those back to school errands.
and I'll be back with more cards to share.
I will reopen my etsy store (which has been on summer break too!) and load up the local stores again soon!

new baby card

It's been a while since I've made a greeting card... so this morning I was thinking cards, cards, cards!
Since I just returned from my cousin's baby shower, I am in the baby mood.
Here are two ... simple and old fashioned.
I used the storybook font cricut cartridge... which I think I love... 2 little crystals finish off the carriage.
I think I may add a little more to it... maybe a button or something like that.
this second one is adorned with a classic little gold safety pin! Love it!

Home again!

The shower was wonderful. Grace looked beautiful (as usual) and her home is so nice.
There were lots of friends and family to congratulate and shower her with gifts... little Alexander will be all set.
I am hoping Chris will forward some pics so i can post here!

So today I spent the day cleaning the house, doing PILES of laundry and having fun with more ATCS.
I am really enjoying my time.

I joined a CROWS: A HALLOWEEN SWAP and got those finished today.
Also, got 2 out of 3 animals/pets cards done as well as the 3rd pointy hat/crown atc. I hope to finish the pets up before my beach trip with the girls on wed. I'm so sad the hubby can't join...


Now I've got to finish the laundry (folding... argh!) and then I am free!!! I hope to be able to stay awake long enough tonight to watch a dvd with Bryan. Wish me luck!

Stressing a little...

So... why am I stressing? Tomorrow is my cousin's baby shower... and it is in Philly! 3.5hrs away. Starts at 1pm. I need to be there by noon... I have a truckload of things to take, a shirt to iron, extra clothes for kids to pack, gifts to wrap still and load up. Gotto remember the camera. Throws for the car ride. Is there anything else? (I know, that's a lot for a day trip to philly. but comfort is key here).
now, add in three more family members (who I live with...) that haven't woken up earlier than 9am all summer. Now you see my anxiety. I don't know about your family, but mine LOVES TO SLEEP IN! In fact, I get the most work done in the morning between 6am-9am.
So I am thinking I need everyone up at 7am... (hmmmmm) and out the door by 8:30. Hoping to at least get the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher before we take off. (wish me luck!).

Well, before I get off to ironing and wrapping... I wanted to share 2 of my atcs for a swap I signed up for - Pointy hats and Crowns. I am having a lot of fun with these. The third is finished, but I think I will keep it. It comes from really deep in my heart and can be misinterpreted too many ways. So I will keep it for my personal collection.


My "monkey mood" right now?see you next week!
~Allison

Last day of Craft Camp!

We finished out our craft camp with a bang! Actually, more like a soap foam fight@! So much fun!
These past three days have been filled with so many smiles and great crafts... I am so proud of the kids for really caring about the things they made and for coming up with fantastic ways to be more earth friendly!
We used up most, if not all, of our recyclable supplies. Wow 20 jars, 30 plastic bowls, all the oj cartons, water bottles... and more!
Thank you to Stacie and Rene' again for collecting the recyclables all summer and for the use of the kiddie pool, craft wire, chairs and other supplies.

I snapped pic of the girls today after we tried out our homemade boats. The girls are so cute!

my "monkey mood" for the day?

Craft camp going smoothly!

This was day 2 of our Reuse, Recycle and Re-CREATE craft camp. This year we have a group of girls who are so perfectly behaved and love to craft!
Let's see... what have we made so far?
vases, votive holders, bottlecap jewelry and art, paper mache', snow globes, collage coasters, ... and more! It's so exciting to see these kids really take pride in what they create. All young little artists!
Tomorrow is our final day and I can't wait to see how the day turns out!

As for stampin' work. I haven't done much this week. I did send a box over to Art Partners... I hope they received it by now. and my updated line is available at the Muse.

Oh! I almost forgot... the trunk show at the Muse! We had a great time. Boy was it crowded downtown. Whitney's store came alive with people. So many things to see in her store and everyone was so friendly! The dogs were in full gear (punk rockers and cowgirls...), and their owners were just as decked out.
thank you to all who came out and visited me. I loved meeting every one of you. And thank you for purchasing my calendars and cards. I hope you love them as much as I loved making them.
I will keep the Muse and Art Partners stocked thru the fall with more of these!
Thank you Whitney for a memorable FIRST Muse Trunk Show!

That's it for now. Have a great night. See you soon!
~Allison

my final Penguin ATC entry

small note before I begin...
you might be wondering where all my card photos are. As you know, my focus is usually card making... but in the summer I like to take time to play too. So, don't worry. I will return with cards soon. (and a few COOL tutes!)


After playing around last night with some different ideas, I decided on making this atc for the Penguin swap I signed on for.
Instead of doing them all OAK, i decided to go for a series. Some penguins are pink and green. others are black with designer tummies.
here a pic.
Well. I should stop playing in this room and get to organizing and spending some time with the fam. I will be at the Muse tonight! can't wait. it's so exciting and the weather will definitely be perfect for the "DOG DAYS of SUMMER" in Frederick!

ps. my monkey mood for today?

New baby...

I'm so excited. My cousin Grace is having a baby and her shower is coming up! So I made her this diaper cake as part of my gift. I will add more pieces of toiletries to it as I shop around, but the diapers itself are secure!
I'm so happy for Grace and Jeff! This is a happy happy occasion!
Can't wait!