I'm back...once again ~

~ After another long hiatus, I am ready to blog again!! My New Year's resolution: better care for myself by finding a wonderful balance between work, play, and relaxation!!! Hopefully, that entails papercrafting and blogging a lot more regularly in 2010!!

That being said, I do have a little blogging to catch up on. Before I start posting my winter projects, I have a few more fall projects to share with you.

First, this fabulous Designer Purse was made using my Klic-N-Kut and an awesome file designed by Shirley Clark of Paperthreads. It can be used to put a small gift or gift card in. I gave one that was filled with candy to a co-worker this fall! I used velcro as the closure, and the handle pivots. The bottom trim that looks like leather is simply kraft colored cardstock which has been crinkled and inked before drawing the stitch lines.


I also spent some time making a few tear bears this fall. They are each holding a sign or something fall-related. I'm finding my tear critters get cuter each time I create them, and I was really pleased with how these came out. There are 8 of them in all!


I know fall is long gone, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to share these projects!! Winter stuff is coming up next!!

Happy 2010!!!
~ Jessica in cold, snowy Kansas

Hanging On To Warm Weather & Fun Colors!!

~ So, I just heard on the news that we may get some of that white stuff early next week. I'm shivering just thinking about it!! I always look forward to the first snow, which is usually beautiful in Kansas, but then I'm ready to bid winter farewell!!!

Just thinking about the arrival of winter has inspired me to think warm!! Therefore, this post includes bikinis and fun summer color combinations! I'll soon be posting some Thanksgiving & fall projects, but in the meantime...This tear bear is ready to soak up some rays at the pool or beach! Isn't she cute??!!! She was inspired by one of my favorite patterns from myscrapchick.com. I tore and assembled this Teeny Bikini Bear from thick mulberry paper, added a few details with chalk, pens, and punched shapes for the eyes & nose. The bikini was cut using my Klic-N-Kut from the myscrapchick.com pattern. I embellished it with a swirly background stamp, a Prima flower combined with a pink jewel, and some fun Stickles...a staple in my scrap room! She's one of my favorite tear critter creations yet!!
~ Check out these fabulous gift ideas! My friend, Shirley Clark, developed this Post-It Cover pattern and sent me the cutting file. Talk about incredibly easy, fabulously fun, and very versatile...
These went together quite quickly, and I love the possibilities. The band can be left plain or embellished in numerous ways. I was obviously in a flowery mood the day I made these!! I think I'll create and give these to the ladies at work this holiday season!!

~~~ One of my favorite blogs to visit is Lisa's Stampin! Weblog, and she's offering some awesome blog candy this week. Follow the above link to her site and tell her "hello"...even if you don't win, you'll benefit greatly from the ideas on her blog!!

~ Warm, wintery hugs from Kansas,
Jessica

Butterfly Tear Critter

~ I created this spring butterfly tear critter several months ago, and she's been patiently waiting for her spot on my blog!!! She's made from torn mulberry paper, flower, heart & swirl paper punches, ink, chalk, and detailing with pen/markers. I also included a few gems as the flower centers.

Enjoying fall, but ready for spring temps again,
Jessica in Kansas

4 Sale: Ice Cream

~ This little peeking salesman bear has ice cream 4 sale!! You just better hurry before he enjoys it all for himself!!!

Every tear critter I make with mulberry paper gets a little easier! The key is to create the cutest face with chalk, punched eyes & nose, and white & black pens. The sign was created and printed from the computer & a ticket corner punch. The popsicle is from a package of Dress It Up embellishments.
It's hard to say no to such a cutie!!!

Happy crafting,
Jessica in Kansas

Sweet Snail

~ I know, I know...I'm a slacker! I've been papercrafting some over the past few months, but just haven't found time to update my blog! So, I'm back and promise to do better!!Creating tear bears and tear critters (torn from mulberry paper) is something I have enjoyed doing very much. I think, by now, I am up to 10 different critters, some of which are cute...others which are not worth sharing! :-) This sweet snail, however, is one of which I am quite proud! A fabulous pattern by myscrapchick.com was my inspiration. I used a spiral journaling template to draw on the shell, and little flower punches complete the antennae! Of course, I also had to use some chalk and a hand-drawn face! Super cute, huh?!!

Hope you're having a wonderful summer,
Jessica in Kansas

"Love"ly Tear Turtle

~ Can you say MIA??!! I know...I'm sorry I've been such a blogging slacker lately. Between my mom being ill with cancer & treatment, starting a new job, and the busy-ness of life in general, I have found little time for papercrafting. However, I have squeezed in a few projects since I last posted on February 4th, and they'll be showing up on the blog soon!

My first post for today is this little guy, who was such a joy to make! I was in a "Love"ly tear critter swap, which challenged us to create a tear critter with the love or sweetheart theme. Most people in the swap made elegant bears with dresses and candy, but I found inspiration for this love-ly turtle from a pattern designed by MyScrapChick.com. Thick mulberry paper, brown and green ink and chalk, a heart punch, a black marker, and a white gel pen were all the supplies I needed to make this quick and cute little turtle packed with love!! Doesn't he look hug-able?!!!

Glad to be blogging again,
Jessica in Kansas

More tear bears...

~ These fall critters were made back in November for a swap I participated in...and I just realized that I never shared them on my blog. The theme was fall. The jumper dress was cut from a pattern designed by myscrapchick.com. The rake and Indian corn are stickers, and the flowers are primas. I think I'm getting better at creating a personality with the eyes, nose, and mouth.
If you haven't tried tear critters, I encourage you to do so! They're not as hard as you might think...and so much fun to create!!

~ Jessica in Kansas

A Christmas Peeking Bear

~ I know it's a little past Christmas, but I forgot to post this fun little peeking tear bear I created last month!! Doesn't she look snuggly and cute?!!! The present and bow pattern were cut from a file in the Holidays Helpers collection designed by myscrapchick.com, and the most appropriate "don't peek" stamp is by Studio G. The gold cardstock is from cutcardstock.com.

Too cute not to share,
Jessica in Kansas

Little Christmas Helpers...

~ How cute is this card?? I created it for a challenge on my MulberryMoms Yahoo group, which specializes in the use of mulberry paper. The Christmas tree paper piecing was cut with my Klic-N-Kut; file designed by Carrie's Creations (Christmas Tree & Bells). The mice were torn from gray mulberry paper using the Mice Helpers patterns by myscrapchick.com...don't you just love the little scissors and tape dispenser??? They are also myscrapchick.com patterns and were cut with my KNK. The chipboard tag is from Colorbok. I also used fiber, lots of Stickles, and ink for embellishing the mice! The cardstock is Naturals Ivory from Stampin' Up!

Ho Ho Ho,

Jessica in Kansas

Thanksgiving Tear Bears

~ Below is the end result of my 4th attempt at creating tear bears or tear critters. I enjoy these so much, although they can be quite time consuming to make! One of my yahoo groups (MulberryMoms) is all about using mulberry paper in papercrafting. We had a Thanksgiving tear critter challenge, so I was inspired to create the Indian Princess and Pilgrim Boy below. The credit for the adorable outfits belongs to myscrapchick.com; from the Seasonal Dress-Up Collection. I paper-pieced and embellished the clothing after cutting with my Klic-N-Kut. Are they cute or what??!!!!! I just love the moccasins!!

Thankful for lots,

Jessica in Kansas :-}