Norma Anne Chattin, The Artful Tourist
                             Make something of it
Spring Card Gallery 2009
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Paper Art Doll 2003
This page was last updated: January 14, 2010
Norma Anne is the humble princess of her own domain. Many thanks to all who help and apologies for my mistakes. All artwork and articles copyright Norma Anne Chattin 2000-present. Please do not reproduce with permission.  Contact Norma Anne at NAChattin@NAChattin.com


Spring means open season on card making for me. After the frenzy of the "major" card sending of Christmas and Valentine's (we sent over 100 this year, thankfully in digital format)--it's great to relax and make some fun cards for spring.

As part of Destination Heartfelt ArtI created several cards this spring from supplies that had been languishing in my studio for far too long.

I have surprised myself by taking away all constraints as far as working for what's hot and trendy. My cards haven't gone as far out on on the edge as I expected. I find real joy in just using up older items in creative ways.

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This element is from a demo I did on kaliedscope stamping prior to 2001.Tag from a spring version of the classic "Torn Paper Piecing Class" version 2005.Created this element and didn't use it for a scrapbook page so I mounted it on a card.A tag from "World's Smallest Shaker Box" class taught around 2003.Flower Fun--Used a $1.00 stamp on scraps from a class I taught in 2008. A ripped page from a photography book started this card for Brittany.Bookmark from a postage stamp that was inside the Marilyn card.Recycled a greeting card my Grandma sent in 2002.Spring-I hadn't stitched in a while and had never used my Memories stitch tool. There you go.Tag made by me for a swap in 2001--inspried by Rebecca Sower tags(tm). The bunnies came from Beatrix Potter collection bought at Paula's store around 2006.Spendid-Okay this one uses newer products, but it's from a Pine Cone press kit that I created the day I received the kit. I'm trying to use it as I get it.Another card from that Pine Cone kit.Used bits and pieces of items that were lonely by themselves. Die Cut by Spellbinders.Tag made with leftovers from a 2008 class project. Easter Lilies--a Dream Impression Stamp from 2003 stamped on slick paper (back then) and colored with markers.Birdie-Susan Branch stickers "imported" from VA in 2001 and a Dream Impression stamp image that I borrowed at a crop and saved for later use in 2002.More older Susan Branch stickers and print vellum for a card.Sparkling Gratitude-DCV glitering card stock with flowers for a class taught 2008 and a stamp bought 2007.
Click any image to enlarge or view as a slide show.
My austerity plan allows for spending $15.00 a month and this cupcake set came from my April budget. The next rule is "you buy it, you use it."I wanted to use this stamp from 2007 so I stamped it on Club Scrap paper I won at a crop recently. If it comes home, I have to use it....Stamp from my paperie days. Used colored pencils, gel pens, punch and sraps from days gone by.Had been looked at this daisy for over a year just stamped onto gold paper for something I never used...finally colored it and made a card. Charm is from a dollar store bracelet.I printed too many copeis of this photo for a scapbook page in 2007. Used Club Scrap paper I won at a crop this year.Wanted to combine the new cupcake with an older collage stamp from Tim Holtz. Used only scraps for papers and old bar shaped brad from class in 2006.Had a 7-day ATC binge in March and made this pocket card so I could give one away.A March birthday card using an old Susan Branch sticker. Made a trifold pocket card from instructions online in March.Open version of the tri-fold card using pattern from split coast stampers.Another Tri-fold Cami attempt closed.Card was for a friend who was moving. Message read: you are not leaving, you are merely expanding your kingdom.Balloon tag used as sample in two different classes: Tags for all seasons and color blocking with ink.hyrbid birthday card for daddy in marchLove Birds--another $1.00 stamp outlined over a Stamping Up watercolor rose.Molly's march birthday card front.Inside of Molly's card is a pull message.Scraps, scraps, and more scraps collaged with rub-on letters.Birthday step card for Faye Closed. From Split Coast Stampers template.Faye's brithday open for display.Bits and pieces collaged into a card with Tim Holtz stampWater color moon mounted onto scraps. I had three moons laying around and lots of new babies to welcome.Sir Henry's Valentine, not exactly spring, but I hadn't posted it.... :)Another Valentine using a kiss wrapperLove card using a Stamping Up set that I got 3-4 years ago and have barely touched.
But wait, there's more.....
This had been one of the most prolific creative spurts I've had in ages. I am so grateful for my new approach and outlook on the process.