Cupcake fun at 2 Sketches 4 U!

The 2 Sketches 4 U blog is all cupcake themed this week...and well, it is pretty obvious that by the looks of my blog I love cupcakes! Hee hee! So, up first is my card for Laura's sketch #18. I used some Heidi Grace papers that I have had FOREVER, called "Sweet Cakes". I can't even give you a link to them because they are no longer on the website...that is how long I have had them in my stash. :) (I still love them though, and that is why I hoard them.)

Up next is my card for the bonus sketch this week at 2S4U. The sketch was done up by Rae Barthel, one of the DT members of the blog. It was a fun sketch to work with, so be sure to scroll down further in the post to see it! I used some Creative Cafe felt as my background, and some October Afternoon and Heidi Swapp paper scraps on this one. AND, I so used the collection name from my first card as part of my sentiment...I was totally inspired! And those cute cupcake stickers are from Martha Stewart Crafts. Love them!I came upon another sketch blog recently called "Friday Sketchers", and fell in love with the latest sketch. So, of course, I had to whip something up for it. This is my card that is inspired by sketch #36. Love having another sketch blog to frequent...I think I am addicted to card challenges! Hee! This card has Glitz Designs "Hot Mama" and Little Yellow Bicycle "Love Letters" collections mixed together. The diecut accents were cut out with my Cricut Expression and the cartridges "Storybook" and "Going Places".

My blog friend Katie asked about how I take photos of my cards. I don't have a light box, but I do have a procedure that seems to work for me. I am no pro, but most of the time I think my photos look pretty good. So, here is my process. Part of my desk faces east, and that is where I set up my cardstock backdrop. I normally use white, but if the card is primarily white, I will use black or a coordinating color. The window streams light in from the north, so during the winter I can get good shots from 10a-3 or 4p, and in the summer...about 7a-9p. If I have a lot of light coming in from outside, I don't turn the lights on in the room at all. This helps keep the natural colors of the card. If it is a bit dreary or cloudy out, I will turn on the main light in the room, and the lamp furthest from the east side of my desk. Any lamp light too close causes weird shadowing and coloring. Once the photo is on my computer, I adjust the levels in Photoshop, run an unsharp mask, and run my card frame action. That is my process in a nutshell. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

That is everything I have to share craft wise. We are going to watch Casey play basketball tonight, so we are excited for that! Basketball is harder to make it to than football, so this is a treat!! Plus, they are playing the Drummond Trojans, and they have a good relationship with that team. So, it is always fun to play them!

I did rediscover something this past weekend. Me + Costco + Sunday afternoon= DISASTER. I had to go pick some groceries up on Sunday so that we wouldn't be tempted to eat out this week. I don't normally shop for anything on the weekend. ANYTHING. I hate crowds...I hate waiting in line....I HATE not being able to get through a FREAKING aisle because everyone and their cat feels the need to block it in order to wait for that coveted 1/2 peice of ravioli that Costco happens to be pawning off that day. Grrr....I feel my blood pressure rising even thinking about it. But, it served as a good reminder that any and all shopping I do needs to get done M-Th, or Josh needs to do it. :)

And one last thing...I know it isn't Christmas anymore. But, I was searching for something completely different on Youtube last night...and this part of the movie Elf came up on the search. I LOVE this movie...and this is my favorite part. I laugh hysterically every time I see this part...so I thought I would make you laugh today!


Until later,
~Lea