Playing With Paper: Some other Birthday Cards

I've become addicted to using Card making kits. This is because I have become addicted to watching Create and Craft shopping channel. I watch mainly for the company. I like to make cards, I find it relaxing. I used to make cards with my kids on Valentine's day and Christmas and now that they are grown, they no longer wish to make cards. In the past few years my second from oldest daughter used to come up but she has a new guy she can't seem to live without so now I craft alone. It saves me time but I would really like to share my ideas and such, have a conversation or two and just have some fun. I have a friend who likes to do the same but she works and lives about 30 miles away and we rarely see each other any more. So, one day last spring I was running through the channel guide and stumbled on a program on the "Save" channel. They run shows from (Mountain Time) 9 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon. It's called Creat and Craft. Like HSN only with craft stuff. It comes to us from the UK. They started a US show in January of last year. They usually have a show host and a demonstrater. They are getting more American hosts but I enjoy the UK hosts just as much. The best part is that they sell stuff you can't get anywhere around here, and by here I mean Idaho. I can't talk for the rest of the US, but getting Cardmaking and Scrapbooking supplies is getting to be slim pickin's anymore and the brands they showcase you can't get at all......well, I have seen some Tattered Lace on JoAnn's website but not near the variety as they have. And cardstock.....I got 50, yes 50 sheets of mirrored cardstock for 15.00. I had to hunt high and low for mirrored cardstock in JoAnn's and finely found 1 piece that cost me 1.99. It was the last one. Anyway.....now I can craft along with the show....I have gotten many pointers from the demos. Since they have separated the studios (the US now has their own studio) the variety of products have gotten smaller, but I still see things we just don't get here. Two of the Companies are Hunkydory and Kanban. They make kits...I have seen some kits on HSN with Anna Griffin but these go waaay beyond. I spend most of my time when I start a card trying to decide what cardstock to use and what colores etc. And wouldn't you just know that when you find that perfect background paper to use, you don't have the solid cardstock to match. I have spent HOURS trying to get my color scheme together and it's not like I don't have reams of paper stacked up around here (you can never have too much paper). Well, when you get these cardmaking kits, they come with cardstock, paper, and they all go together. I have reduced my time down in my cardmaking by a good 75%. It's still handcrafted and it's up to you how you use what you get so it's not like paint-by-the-number. I feel kind of guilty from time to time because it's not totally handmade, but I still do coloring, and stamping. Oh well, confessions of a paper junkie. Anyway, just saying that if you get frustrated like I do trying to find dies, cardstock, and ideas...try tuning in. Or check out the website where you can watch online and shop. it's
www.createandcraft.com. Check out Kanban and Hunkydory and Tattered Lace and Heartfelt Creations.

Here are some cards I have made using this stuff.

Hunkydory, flowers are Heartfelt Creations and Tattered Lace