Notes By Nina

Happy Thanksgiving for those readers giving thanks today.

The first book I purchased with cardmaking in mind was the Stampin' Up Idea Book and that started my stamp addiction, my husband laughs at my coloured tabs on every other page. When I first started making cards I started to notice more and more magazines and books for cardmaking. I don't know if they have always been around and I just did not notice them or if cardmaking has become more popular. Either way I was looking for inspiration and guidance anywhere I could find it. I started with the library and signed out every book on card making I could find and from there it has only escalated.


When I discovered Cardmaker magazine it was love at first read and it was my very first card magazine subscription, I can't wait for every new release to arrive. That eventually led me to the cardswaps that are hosted on their website. I wanted to see what other cardmakers where making the only flaw with that grand idea was that I needed to send out cards too and I had a few concerns with that. The first concern being that I am still a little shy when it comes to my cards, I know I have things to learn and it would be people outside of family and friends who would be receiving the cards and I was concerned that when people received my cards they would be disappointed. The second was that I had a deadline that I needed to work within, doing Birthday and Christmas was one thing but to make and send a certain number in a preset time frame was totally different.


To date I have done 3 card swaps and I am working on a Christmas Card exchange. Much to my surprise and delight there are a lot of card makers out there at my level and are pretty much in the same arena as I am. From my 3 cards swaps I received some beautiful cards with some amazing techniques. I can't wait to see the cards I will receive for the Christmas exchange. Being as I can't really show my Christmas cards (would not want to ruin the surprise) I think for the next couple of posts I will see if any of my pictures from my swaps are post worthy.


Whew that was a little long winded. My first card swap was for flowers of the month, I picked November. I have to say, I never thought it would be difficult to find stamps of Chrysanthemums. I was wrong and I feel fortunate I found a large stamp that had a 4 different flowers on it.


This stamp is made by Magenta








I apologize for picture quality of the card is not very good.

Recipe:

Cardstock: Black, gray (unknown company) Designer paper by DCWV The glitter Stack Ink and Embossing powder: Versamark, Stampendous Stamp-in Stuff Black Ribbon: Offray Nice and Narrow Accessories: Offay My Moments Petite Gems

Once the Christmas rush is done, I think I might consider another swap. Have a great day.