December Chill

Morning Peeps!  I've got a snowy Victorian to share with you today.  If only our place had this lovely dusting of snow on it right now.  Latest forecast for Christmas in New England will have us in the 60's on the big day.  I hear some of our friends in Virginia may hit 70!!! Crazy!

This little love was made using Amuse stamps and apparently I had stamped and Stickled this image a while ago.  When I was digging through all my Christmas stash I discovered this image and all the cut parts ready to go.  Yay!  All I needed to do was add the bakers twine and black wash tape. Sweet!

Have you had any paper crafting "miracles" this season?

Take some fries with that

Just a quick post today.  I always forget how busy it is this time of the year!!! Last week I had a pop-up fair at a friends house, then over the weekend I had a booth at a craft fair in Quincy, this weekend we are hosting a work party, and I'm terrible behind getting my Christmas cards made- never mind signed & mailed--EEEKKKK! 

It'll all work out though.  It always does. :) The treat I'm sharing today is a fun, quick, easy stocking stuffer.  I made a bunch of them.  These went home with one of my classroom roomie (hence the wacky photo taken with my phone at work). I need to make 1 more to complete an order for another co-worker.  I dug into my stash of cut papers, stickers, and embellishments to jazz up the kraft French fry boxes. Then I filled them with mini chocolates in a cello bag.  Tied ribbon, sparkly yarn, or twine on all of them.  Easy-peasy!

Guess I should get off the internet and work on cards huh.  Gonna go see what Christmas movies are on TV or on demand.  Might help me get my tushie in gear! ;-)

A Rose of Thanks

Good Morning!  Thought I'd share a fun and easy thank you card.  It uses one of my last pretty Wilton cupcake doilies.  The ones they made before they changed the design. :( I use the new ones, but they aren't as pretty as these really lacy ones. 

I am pleased that everything I used was something I have been hoarding for a bit. :) It's a more subtle mellow palette and I kinda like that.  This isn't a combo I would have put together usually and I'm really liking how it turned out!

What unexpected colors or overall creation have you used/ created lately?

It's a Good Day

The weather was beautiful today and so were the leaves. :) It's a good day to share something pretty and even better when the pretty has the perfect sentiment!

It was a good day for more than the weather for me.  I had a meeting at work that went way better than I thought.  I'm a terrible worrier and can't eat when I am stressed, so this meeting called for a run to Subway for a 6" and a soda!  I don't know the last time I had soda and it tasted WONDERFUL.  Of course I crashed after eating everything, but I had my faithful-ish pup Cida to cuddle with on the sofa for a bit. :)

Now the "crash" meant I didn't get anything I planned to do actually done.  Except for laundry, but let's face it, laundry does itself once you add water & soap.  LOL!  Oh, you mean it doesn't fold itself too???  Darn, I guess I didn't get anything done!!!!

Well, hope you enjoyed this day and you got more done than moi!

Sparkly & Rustic Thanks

Morning' Peeps! Boy how time flies!!!! I made this card a bit ago and discovered I hadn't shared it, which is a shame because it is one of my favorite looks.

Sparkles from gems and Sticklers mixed with some rustic burlap ribbon.  Ahhhh, love the juxtaposition.  This card was inspired while I was trying to make some anniversary cards.  This bouquet kept begging to be used by getting mixed in with the other supplies, so I finally said to myself  "okay use it!" LOL!

The daisies were originally just flat, so each center got some bling with the addition of Stickles centers.  The photo doesn't truly do the bling justice!

Tonight should be interesting for me.  I am taking my first French lessons in 20 years!!!  I'm wicked excited and nervous too.  I've had my "test" to see where I fit and I'm happy to say that I am functioning at about a Grade 3 level.  That may be higher than when I was in High School French. *hee-hee*. Class is late, 7-8 pm and I'm sure to be exhausted. 

What new things are you about to try, or would like to try?

Gray and Orange

A big thanks to the sun for coming out to shine today!!!  We totally needed the rain, and I LOVE a good rainy day, but the colors on the trees look AMAZING when the sun hits them.  Honestly one of these days I'm going to go off the road with all my leaf peeping.

This card is a combo of the cloudy weather we've had and the colorful leaves all around. :) I am still crushing on this ribbon I made.  A couple weekends ago I went nuts with dyes and created another 9 or so versions in pinks, greens, springtime Monet-style multi-colored ribbon, and a wicked cool version that looks like an autumn tree in full blaze (can't wait to come up with something for that!)

The plan today is to go visit a friend's studio up in Lowell.  It is in an old factory and the whole place has been hosting an Open House all weekend.  I can't wait to see everything and get inspired!!! It also looks to be a good ride with leaf-peeping opportunities (fingers-crossed I stay on the road! LOL!)

Happy Creating!

Wedding Dresses

Here are a few more engagement & wedding congrats cards I made.  Believe it or not, I had this stamp in the "sell at a yard sale" pile!  Luckily I remembered I had it last May when I was asked to create a few new cards. 

Love how easy it is to make this kind of card custom to the brides colors, and still make it light & fun.  The card bases are from LF, colored with copies, the ribbon is from my goodie grab in London, "Mr. & Mrs." is Amuse, "for you" is Avery Elle, and the necklace is Liquid Pearls (remember when we used that stuff on EVERYTHING!).

Oh, I just thought of how cute this would be as a Sweet 16 or Quinceanera cards!  Pardon me whilst I toddle off to create!  LOL!!


Have a marvelous day!!!!

Vintage Rose

It is a gray day here in New England.  Seems like a good day to share a pretty bouquet! :) I did some cleaning and organizing of cards in my "repair shop".  These are cards that either got messed up, don't have a sentiment yet, or need a cutie-patootie envelope.  Yesterday was a perfectly overcast day, so I took pics of the cards that got "repaired".  LOL!

This one is a thank you card.  The colors kinda inspired my new classroom space.  It's teeny-tiny, but I have a window so I'll at least get to see the autumn leaves, winter snows, and spring flowers!

It was fun adding the leaves from an old SU hydrangea set under the chipboard rose.  Usually the leaves are under the hydrangea, like in these cards, and it is nice to see the cool effect with chipboard!  I'm totally crushing on weathered wood right now- I've been all over Etsy looking at weather wood skins to put on my school-issued MacBook, just haven't hit the buttons on the right one yet.

I'm off to assemble meals at Dream Dinners this morning.  It is sooooo nice to have a freezer full of goods ready to cook for dinner.  Makes deciding "what's for dinner" way easier (& the leftovers solve the "what's for lunch" too!)

Have a great Friday!

Super Bowl Class Highlights

 

Some folks get hyped for some football game or something today. *wink* At my LSS we get hyped for the Super Bowl Craft In! It is an all day 4 classes, 4 instructors, 4 projects, prizes, and lunch crafting bonanza.  I was the 4th quarter "coach" and my team of 15 made these cupcake cards.

The cards needed to be simple since these gals had been crafting since 10 am and when I got them it was 1:45 pm.  To make things easier all the items were punched, cut, & stamped so they could cut, color, and glue. :)

The samples were out for them to copy, but I encouraged them to do whatever moved them as far as "frosting" and sentiments.

The paper was all double-sided, which worked well if anyone wanted the cards to be mostly valentine-y, or more all occasion.  I think folks were pleased because they got to end with a low-key set of cards & could shop/chit-chat for the last little bit. :)

Hope you are having an awesome Super Bowl Sunday!  I can't wait to see all the commercials (they are my fav part no matter who is playing).

 

A Bouquet in a Blizzard

Happy Snow Day!  Well, it is for me anyway. :)  My town dodged a snowbullet with only about 3 inches of snow.  My school is 30 minutes south, so they called off school late last night.  Still haven't heard from anyone sown there about how much they got, but some towns have 15 inches.  It's light and fluffy, which is great, but it is BITTER COLD.  Wind chills are 20 below.  Frankly, I'll take 20+ inches if it means no sub-zero temps.  Tomorrow will be worse.  7 below as the air temp (I shudder to think what the windchill will be) & I am facing 20-30 minutes of outdoor bus duty.  Y-U-C-K!

With all the cold, it seems like ages ago since we were all complaining about heat and humidity! LOL!  Seems like a good time to share a paper bouquet. :)  This is a simple set that is a more girly take on this book themed set.  I'm counting it as my 4th 50 Projects Challenge.  I think I might add a tally of this personal challenge and my Christmas cards personal challenge (mostly so I can keep track for myself!)

Everything is boxed up and pretty for gifting.  I loaded it into my Etsy Shoppe, but if it doesn't get sold, I know it will get gifted. :) 

The papers are mostly BG with some MB kitchen dots (I think), the card bases are MB, ribbon is BB & Doodlebug, button is MFT, and the luscious sentiment is Avery Elle (my new favorite crush).

I'm going to spend a little more time under the covers, snuggling with my corgi, sipping my coffee, and blog surfing before venturing out (dentist appointment & PO run).  How 'bout you?  Any fun plans?

First of 50!

One of the New Year's Resolutions I gave myself was to get 50 projects completed using just my stash.  I'm so pleased to say that I am on my way!

This card used scraps I had sitting in the bin on my table, so your guess is as good as mine on designer. :)  The teacups are one of my favorites and I had stamped out a few of these on some Neena paper ages and ages ago!  When I rummaged through the scraps and found all the juicy oranges and refreshing blues, the teacups called out "color us, color us"!  This is going to be a birthday card for an aunt.  To date I have managed to send all the birthday & anniversary cards on time (or pretty gosh darn close) and there is a big hole in my stash!  My hope is that this 50 projects challenge will help fill the hole before I fall off the mailing cards wagon. :-D

I've gotten a couple more projects completed and photographed to share, but first I'm off to make a cuppa and surf Blogland!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Sweetest Holiday

Happy Monday Folks!  We've finally gotten in a groove with Amy's pain meds/cancer treatment, Cad had to go on pain meds, and I've been trying to exercise every day since I joined "The Biggest Loser" competition amongst the teachers at my school.  I did squeeze in some creative time and here is one of the things I got done!

I did well making Christmas cards a little at a time last year and it made for one less stressful part of the holidays 'cause the cards were all made before Thanksgiving.  I'm doing me best to try it again this year.  I figure each one done is one less to work on later. :)

DH is a candy fiend and he loves monochromatic cards, so of course this is his favorite Christmas card in the current 2013 collection.  I'm excited that I have enough of this peppermint paper to make at least 3-4 more of these cards. :)

The peppermint paper is from a kit I had gotten last year in a kit club where I'm a member, the stamp is one I got ages ago and have only used a few time (so glad to get to ink it up again!), and the twine is leftover from a valentine card I had made. Love when I can use my stash!  

I've popped a peppermint and wandered with this card to these lovely gatherings:
Festive Friday- Trigger Word Sweet
Sparkles Christmas Challenge- Favorite Festive Colors (I ADORE peppermint for Christmas!)
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge- May Extra Anything Goes

Cupcakes Anyone?

Gosh, the weekend really flies by!  How come the weekend zooms, but Monday's drag?!?!  Well, anywho, I thought these might bring a smile to everyone.  They make me smile. :)

My poor friends, and the peeps at my last couple of classes, have been subjected to these cards of late.  They are sooo stinkin' happy I carried them around in my purse to show anyone I could corner. :)  They are another take on the cards seen here.

I just couldn't stop myself from making these!  To be fair, they are a fun way to use up scraps on your table- 'cause who wants to clean up the mess when you can use it up instead.  Really, I will do anything to get out of cleaning my studio. ;)  For rough directions on how to make these, and to see where I got the idea from, click here.

I've delivered these tasty treats here:

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenges- Buttons & Bows
The Ribbon Girl- Ribbon or Twine
Paper Playtime- Anything Goes
My Crafty Spot- Tasty Treats 
Pile it On- Birthday

So is your Monday already looking happier?  Hope so!

Cheer over drear

Oh it is a rainy one here today folks!  I feel bad for the kiddos starting school today.  It's hard enough to go that first day, but with rain it just seems sadder.  Before I left for Alaska- and boy does that seem like a lifetime ago already!!!- I made this cheerful bouquet from some scraps.

I thought this would make a nice birthday card.  No idea who it might go to yet.  There are a TON of birthdays in my family the next couple months.  Every September I vow to be better about sending cards that aren't belated birthday cards in the next 12 months.  Maybe this will be the year?

How 'bout you?  Do you make any "resolutions" when the leaves start to change and the kids head to school?

Live, Laugh, Play- with Ruffles

Having more fun with ruffles and with more Simple Stories paper.  Seriously, when I am on a run about something I have a hard time walking away.  Yesterday's post is the one I sent to Linda for the quickfire on Sunday.  This was actually the first card I made for the challenge, but this seemed so close to this card that I had to make some other ruffly stuff too. :)  Tomorrow's post is the 3 idea I had for the quickfire- I know, I know walk away from the ruffles.  I will, after tomorrow.  Maybe. :)

Oh my goodness I'm seeing this line everywhere these days!  I can't get over how popular this line has been lately.  Very worth it though.  It is one of my favorites!  Don't see the ruffles yet?  Hmmm, guess I am making you work to see those ruffles again today. :)

Don't forget to join the fun at Catered Crop!  The challenge is ruffles- I mean how easy is that?!?!?!?!  C'mon peeps!

From the ashes of creativity

I'm trying to clean up the disaster I created in my space, but as I have mentioned before I spent a lot of time with "the grandma who survived the Depression".  You know the one who wouldn't through anything away when she could re-purpose it.  Translation- I can't throw out the scraps because they could be used to make something cute like this...

I mean come on.  How stinkin' cute is this tag card?!?!  The flowers and leaves were leftovers from my Paper Flower Wreath.  Waste not, want not, right?

The background flower pattern is stamped with the same SU stamp as I used in this card.  Told you my space was a disaster in need of cleaning. LOL!

Well I'm off to water therapy with Cad and then maybe I'll clean some more (maybe).

Happy Wednesday,