Memory Jar 2015

I posted a tutorial of how I made this Memory Jar in the Snowed In magazine over at Ashley Paul's blog She Makes a Home.  Hop over and check it out!  The ezine is free and full of 100 pages of tips, tricks, and gifts for this winter!

Happy Wednesday!!!

On Friday would you like to...

Morning' Peeps!  So, would you like to... Join a Blog Hop?  A good bloggy friend invited me to join a hop that will span a couple of weeks.  For my part, I need to find 2 or 3 more folks to join.  I thought I would post a call here and if you are interested I can get you the deets.  You can leave me a comment, or email me by Friday afternoon.  It's a fun hop where you'll get to share what inspires you, how your process works, and you can share any creation!  The first round of hopping will start next week, so let me know if you are game and we can let the fun begin!!!

Thought I'd share a cutie baby card with y'all today.  Alas, I am once again breaking my Summer Resolution and bagging the deets on ingredients here. :( All the papers were from the scrap bin- success on using scraps though! :) The little bit I can share with you is that the envy sentiment is Avery Elle & the bear and card sentiment are from PTI.  (Enabler alert here) PTI is about to do a new release, so you might want to add these to your cart for a chance at free shipping...

For everyone on the East Coast- stay dry today!  It is raining cats & dogs out there!  Count your blessings though, if this was snow we'd be getting about 2-4 inches an hour!!!!!!

Grow Your Blog Winner- a Tad Delayed

Sorry for the delay. With the loss of Cad, and some travel, I forgot to post the winner from the Grow Your Blog party. Have no fear, a number was drawn and a name chosen...













and


















the













winner














is













Terri


















from





















Cache-Mire!!!!

Congratulations Terri!  Let me know what kind of  cards you would like in your box of 10. :)

Grow Your Blog Day!

Happy Hopping! Today the AMAZING Vicki at 2 Bags Full is hosting a blog event that includes almost 600 blogs from around the world!  It is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people. :)

I am the happy owner of one of Vicki's Harvest Nests (I waited over a year and was rewarded by it's arrival on my birthday!!!)

I am a crafter of all sorts, but my main focus lately has been my paper crafts.  This fall I went nuts making banners.  Really love sprucing up mantles with happy hanging décor. :)

Creating card sets are another type of addiction for me.  Trying to see how many patterns and embellishments I can fit on a card is like solving a puzzle!

I'm on a self-imposed "use your stash and make 50 projects without buying new stuff" challenge.  I'm also on a "get your Christmas cards made by October" challenge.  I'm doing my best to combine the two.  I'll keep you posted about how well I can stay on either "wagon".  ;)

Recently, I have gotten into making kits.  These started out as mock-ups for the cards I was going to give my students.  Then I thought they would be great for kids to be able to color and assemble.  They have been pretty popular on my Etsy Shoppe and have gotten me thinking about some new ideas for kits. :)

I love a giveaway!  For all of you hoppers & followers, I am offering a box of 10 handmade cards of your choosing.  That means you let me know what you'd like in the mix of cards.  Do you want all birthday, a few birthday and a bunch thank you?  It'll be your call. :)****I forgot to add that I'll draw a name on Feb 16th.  You get an extra day because I'll be travelling on the 15th! Lucky you!


I'm off to take the corgi to water therapy (our ever vigilant fight with doggy Lou Gehrigs) and then I'm sitting with a cuppa to hop, hop, hop!

Stay warm today!!
**********************************

EDIT---I just saw a blogland friend's friend (sounds a little Ferris Buellers Day Off there huh) had her blog hacked and is having to start her blog all over from scratch.  I know she isn't on the list, but it would be so sweet if some of you could stop by and share some love Creating with Cindy.   After all, that's what today is about really right?  Sharing the love. 

 

Love to all!

 



Let's Celebrate Freedom Blog Hop!

We want you to join us for a week of techniques from the Design Team at The Hens' Den.  Each Design Team member will be showing you how they made something and in the process give you a look at different ways of documenting such a wonderful day in the lives of Americans.

 

The blog hop will start on the 1st of July and end on the 6th of July.  On July 7th, we will pick a winner at random from all of those who follow the rules.   Here is what you need to do.

 

You will start here at The Hens' Den Blog then you will visit each of the other blogs:

 

Anita Mulcahey

Moriah Macdonald

Carolyn Lontin

Lori McClellan

Janet Bagnall

Nicolle Kramer

Charlie LaBonte

Facebook Page for The Hens' Den

 

Each DT Member will have the next link on their blog that you need to move onto.   You need to leave a comment on each blog so that we know you where there.  The LAST step is to go to our FB page and leave a comment about the blog hop. 

 

On Sunday, July 7th, we will pick one random person who visited all the blogs and they will be our winner.  

What can you win in addition to all the inspiration?!?

 

A bag full of goodies from Tim Holtz , Dyan Reaveley and Claudine Hellmuth, Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Distress Stain, Dylusions Ink, Distress Paint, Studio Acrylic paint and a hand full of tags to play with. 

You don't want to miss this.  It is sure to be a fun, inspiring, and inky good time!  If he's up to it, Cad might even join in the fun! :D

 

 

 

 

 

Grow Your Blog Day!

Today is Grow Your Blog Day!  Super awesome Vicki, over at 2 Bags Full, is our hostess for this fabulous blog hop.  Thanks Vicki!!!  Her idea was to have a big "Meet and Greet" for fellow bloggers so we could get a chance to find out about each other's blogs.

One of the suggestions Vicki gave to all of us was to take a moment to introduce ourselves, so here goes. :)  I'm a part-time Reading Specialist who works with Kindergarten and first grade students in MA.  It's a pretty great gig 'cause I get to help kiddos learn to read and, hopefully, also love to read. :)  When I'm not teaching kiddos how to read, I'm teaching adults papercrafting at my favorite store Ink About It and creating cards, tags, and scrapbook albums.

In prepping for Valentine's Day I've begun working on valentines for kids and adults.  The teachers and staff celebrate Curious Cupid (think Secret Santa valentine-style).  So it is a pretty big deal to have mini goodies ready for the big day!

I live in MA with my amazing husband (anyone who can deal with me day in and day out and still smile has to be amazing), our Corgi, Cad, (read about his whole ordeal here) and our Tabby, Amy, with the softest fur on the planet!  DH and I have been married for 11 years, although really we've been together for something like 18 years.

Well I've been rambling on!  I'll stop here so you can roam around my blog and visit all the other blogs. ;)  If you leave a comment below, you'll be entered to win your own set of 11 different cards (like the listing here).  If you are a follower mention that too and I'll enter your name again!  If you "like" my Etsy store on Facebook (look under that Actions section), let me know in the comments and that will get your name entered again too!  So you've got 3 different chances to win. :)  Oh and I'll draw a name on Groundhog Day! :) (That's Feb 2nd)

Happy Saturday!

PTI July Hop & Cad

Today is the July PTI Blog Hop and I'm so excited to join the fun today!!!  This month the theme is using the colors from the inspiration picture.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this combo, so finding the goods to work with was easy.  Coming up with a plan at 4:00 was a little shaky. ;P

I pulled out my trusty VW "Enjoy the Ride" set and decided to have fun with colors and shapes.  A very Tim Gunn Make it Work moment.

Each license plate has a different sentiment- I wish they would come out with an "Enjoy the Ride" additions set with other sentiments for the plate.  I've made do in the past with stuff from other sets, but wouldn't it be great to have one for Fathers Day, or thanks, or Merry Christmas?!?!  I know, I know I could just have the "happy days" sentiment, but I'm a nudge who is always looking for more.  LOL!  What can I say? :)

Speaking of wanting more, here is the video of Cad running I promised everyone.  It was on the warm side so he is slower than he has been- oh and PLEASE don't look at how huge my tuckus looks in those white shorts!!!!!

Don't forget there is still time to sign up for Cad's blog candy giveaway.  You have until tomorrow night....

Being Creative Week 9

This is week 9 of my friend Amisha's Being Creative party!  Her goal was a ten week party where creative folks share their goodness with one another, make new friends, and inspire/invigorate/innovate creativity with fellow artists (Amisha and I truly share the belief that everyone is an artist).  This week the "theme" is Big and Little Ideas.   I decided to share creations made from Joanne's workshop using My Favorite Things last weekend.  She is a doll of a teacher!!!  So creative and willing to share her talent 'n tips with all of us.

I adore taking classes because you get that immediate feedback from fellow classmates.  It's so cool to get to talk with each other and get tips 'n tricks (and some even have to do with the class LOL!).

All classes make me stretch myself a little.  Joanne's classes remind me to have fun with layers, multiple patterns, and shapes.  Kinda like when you were a kid, but with WAY better toys. :)

I would say that the reminders to be a kid and use "lots of stuff" is a big and little idea.  Big because it can change how you create and little 'cause it's such a simple and easy idea.  So Thanks goes out Joanne for reminding me to play with ALL my papers and thanks for creating a yummy set of cards & for teaching us how to make those cards!!!

Hope to see all of you artists over at Amisha's party.  Please share your creations.  I know you will inspire all of us!

Favorite Tools

It's week 8 over at the Being Creative Party on Gorgeous & Fun.  This week Amisha invites us all to share our favorite tools and technologies.

source

First and foremost, my favorite technology for crafting is my beloved Tiguan (this one isn't mine 'cause mine really, really needs a bath right now).  My Tiguan takes me to craft shows, craft shops, museums, Maine, family gatherings and girls craft nights.  All of these outings make it possible for me to be creative.  I truly adore my stick-shift turbo bluetooth speed machine.  Can you tell I LOVE to DRIVE?  DH got me a ride along at a raceway up in NH for my b-day and my DSIL & DBIL got us go-cart racing for Christmas.  Best gifts ever!!! Not the most green way to be, but I really like being able to be in charge of when, where and how I get to my destination.  Also, you never know what signs might strike your fancy and send on a totally new adventure. ;)

My favorite tool in my craft room currently is my Cuttlebug.  Making all those cool shapes is so much fun!  

 These are the most recent playthings being used.  I'm working on a better organization of my dies and am leaning towards getting one of those magnetic knife holding thingies I see folks using these days.  I just want to get one for as few pesos as possible.

This little card is one of four that I made using my Cuttlebug.  MFT posted this sketch, Cupcake Inspirations has challenged folks with this picture which inspired the color scheme for this card, and then the Christmas Card blog asked folks to come up with a winter/Christmas card with a bow.  I'm kinda excited with this card.  Not my usual palette, but looks kinda fun don'tcha think? 

I know, it's kinda sick to be posting a winter-type card when it is so beautiful outside.  Really mental when you think of the disgusting winter we had in New England.  Well, that's me.  A little batty.  Ooo, that makes me think I should make some Halloween cards! ha-ha, I crack me up.  I really do!  :P

Stop by on Tuesday for a tour of my crafty space!

Writing Down Ideas and a Fun Tut Link!

Amisha over at Gorgeous and Fun is hosting week 7 of her Being Creative challenge.  This week she talks about writing down ideas. 

I thought I'd share a fun tutorial link that Top Tip Tuesday teamie Elaine is sharing this week over on the home blog.  She made this fabulous box and is giving step-by-step directions/pictures to show you how to make this box for yourself!  The tut is releasing on Tuesday and the challenge to create a "Thanks" themed project is on!

I'm not sure that I write down as many ideas, as sketch them or make a list of cool things I've seen that I want to try.  I have a tendency to lose papers and I have a stack of 4 spiral notepads that I am constantly misplacing, so my blog really is my catchall.  If it's here on the ol' blog-a-rooney, I have a chance of 1. not forgetting it and 2. being able to find it an try it later. :)

How do you keep track of ideas?  Come join the fun over at TTT and Gorgeous and Fun!!!!

You all inspire me!

 Amisha's Being Creative series has posed the question "What inspires you?"

I'm sharing pictures from the class I took this week with Nathalie Metivier of Magenta.  Can I tell you that she is an awesome teacher and so funny!!!!  What a totally cool experience!  I won't tell you which (if any) of the pieces you see are mine. :)  I just love seeing the interpretations of lots of folks!

Classes inspire me so much!  Obviously because you are learning something from the teacher, but also 'cause you learn so much from folks who are in the class with you.  I have yet to take a class and not walk away with some cool bit of info on a company, neat technique, tool, time saver, or color combo from someone who also taking the class. :)

I'm very easily inspired (or is it influenced) by seasons too!  Springitis is hitting hard right now and thoughts of soft color, baby animals, flowers, overall newness is all I can think about right now.  Come summer it'll be beachyness and citrusy colors, when fall arrives its my favorite palette of oranges, reds, yellows and harvest themes, and finally when winter rears its head once more its off to the clean lines and crisp colors.

Websites, blogs and -of course- Pinterest makes the world a happy place for me. :)  It's so awesome to see what everyone creates from meals, to home decor, to crafty creativity- A-MAZ-ING!  Sometimes I gotta copy what I've seen, sometimes I see a combo I've gotta try, or a meal I've just gotta make.  

Most of all, my loyal followers and comment writers inspire me!  You are such a great group of people, I can't tell you how much your sweet kindnesses make each day sparkle.  Thanks so much!!!!!  I can only hope to return half the inspiration you all give me!

Hop over to Gorgeous and Fun and link up to join Amisha in spreading inspiration. :)

What Counts?

It's week 5 of Amisha's Being Creative linky party already!  Already at the halfway mark.  Huh.  My how time flies. :)

This week Amisha wants to know: What counts as creative time?  Hmmm.  That's a tough one.  I think I count the actual time actively making the creation obviously, but I'm torn about how I should really count "research" and "acquiring".  I mean last Sunday I spent 4 hours making this leather wrap bracelet.  Having signed up for this class with friends ages ago, not knowing that I would have 2 creative deadlines looming and a week long jury obligation.  Ah well, it was good I had this class lined up.  It helped to reboot my creative mojo.

So obviously classes and "in studio" work count, but then I have guilt about this next "thing" I count as creative time.  IS it creative time or creative time sink?  Yes, it is that temptress blog-surfing.  Does it count when I get so much inspiration???  Does it still count when you factor the HOURS AND HOURS I spend hopping from one blog to the next, not actually making anything myself??? 

Well the jury is still out on this one, but stay tuned for more updates. :)  Hey speaking of updates- We're doing pretty well with the no TV thing.  Occasionally we forget to turn the TV off, but I will say usually it's because we're being productive instead of sitting on the sofa and that's why we've forgotten.  As soon as either of us remembers we do shut off the "boob tube".  Should it be called the "high def dipstick" these days?  Hmmm.  Talk amongst yourselves. :)

I'd love if you talked to me about your creative time!  I promise to spend more time catching up with everyone this week!!!!  (I'd say it's a quiet week ahead, but why jinx myself.)