To bling, or not to bling? ...and lots of scraps

I had a bit of extra time this afternoon (while waiting for laundry), so I decided to make a card...which meant I went through this week's challenges, both on SCS, and various blogs. And I decided to try out Friday's Limited Supplies Challenge (LSC202)...where everything is about HEARTS and RED (as soon as I read the challenge, I imagined this stamp and those little red heart buttons):
I started with a base of Riding Hood Red (sorry...the lighting in the photo above makes it look 'redder' than it is!), and stamped 'So & So Loves...' onto a scrap of white CS, then colored it in with a blender pen. I trimmed the image down, and realized 'Hey, that would fit into Verve's Viva La Verve challenge for this week!'. So, I matted that piece onto Chocolate Chip CS (also from the scrap bin), and found a scrap of heart DP, and matted it onto a scrap of Chocolate Chip CS, and distressed the edges with Chocolate Chip ink. I assembled everything per the VLV02 sketch challenge, added my cute red heart button and the last of a double-sided satin ribbon I've been hoarding, and Voila! A cute little finished card!

The problem came along when I remembered that the challenge has a *twist*, and required bling. So I added bling around one of the hearts on the DP...and I don't think I like it. What do you think? Normally I'm a fan of the bling (used judiciously), but I think it doesn't quite fit in this instance....
So, you're probably wondering "What's with all the scraps??", right? While cleaning up my desk area, I found scraps, which I added to my scrap file (which I have sorted by color). And I kept adding, and adding, and adding...until my scrap file looks like this:
Check out how it 'alligators' from the side:
Yeah, seriously need to work on depleting my scrap stash!! So, don't be surprised if my next *several* cards are constructed from scraps. *wink*

In other happy news, last week I {finally} put up my Rubba Rack that I won at HHT! And it's already full! *sigh* But check out how accessible my beloved Unity Stamps are:
Happy Monday, everyone! Thanks for stopping by today!
~Michelle

Supplies used:
Paper: Red Riding Hood, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White CS (SU!); heart DP (source unknown)
Ink: Stazon Timber Brown (Tsukineko); Distress Brushed Corduroy (Ranger Industries); Real Red reinker, Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Stamps: So & So Loves... (Unity Stamp Co)
Other: Ink Blending tool (Ranger Industries); satin ribbon (source unknown); foam mounting tape (3M); heart button and bling (Michael's)

messy desk (as usual)...

Except right now, it's so messy I don't even feel like making anything...isn't that awful? The photo above was taken Monday, when I cleared off some space to work on that corner-rounder-scallops-on-Coluzzle-shapes-tutorial. It actually looks worse right now. I'm going to have to get it cleaned off if I ever want to finish Christmas gifts and cards and crafts.... *sigh*

What's your desk situation? Are you a neatnik or a messy? (I definitely lean toward the messy, though my OCD heart desires to be a neatnik!) *wink*

Have a wonderful day! Thanks for stopping by!
~Michelle

Dare to Get Dirty '08 ribbon challenge card (aka ribbon craziness!)

Jody's challenge for the Dare to Get Dirty '08 challenge was to use ribbon, and show your ribbon craze....definitely something right up my alley! Here's the card I made:
I got the idea to do the woven ribbon from this post on Kristina Werner's blog. Something I had wanted to try, and this was the perfect time! (Supplies listed at the end of the post) Unfortunately, I almost lost my mind while trying to do it!! Check this shot out, mid-weaving:Despite the heavy-duty glue dots, the ribbons kept popping off while I was trying to weave!! aaargh!! I think it was worth it, though...I love how the card turned out. *smiles*

And just for fun, here's a picture of the craziness of my craft room right now...I still haven't completely unpacked, and don't have all my storage in place, so it's a huge mess! Oh well, I can still create, despite the chaos!
Thanks for stopping by! Go do a challenge!
~Michelle
P.S. My understanding is that while the challenges are for SCS Fan Club members only, the gallery is for anyone to see...but it's definitely worth your while to join the Fan Club if you frequent SCS!

Supplies used:
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla cardstock (SU!)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Stamps: Happy Everything (SU!)
Other: glue dots (lots and lots of Gluedots and Zots); Xyron 250; jumbo brad and Crop-a-dile (WeRMemory Keepers); fabric flowers (unknown)
ETA: I forgot the ribbon!! How silly is that? All ribbons used are from American Crafts :o)