A French Read

Happy Monday!  Today I have my last Graphic 45 French Country creation to share with you. :)  When I was down at The Cape last week we were talking about reading, 'cause of course teachers LOVE to read, and who reads in a book vs. kindle/iPad app.

All that talk got me thinking about how I need a new bookmark!  I've been tutoring this summer and the books we are reading together are all hardcopy rather than electronic.  Good excuse to whip out my goodies and create this little gem.

When I showed my husband what I made his response was "Wow!  That seems too nice for a book."  Well my response "Nothing is too nice for a book!". *smile*

Grab some goods to make your own page marker:
Graphic 45 French Country- Abundance
Graphic 45 Signature Cardstock- Bon Voyage
Graphic 45 French Country- Flowers
Graphic 45 French Country-Tags

Happy Birthday with Graphic 45!

Good Morning Everyone!  As you read this I am on my way to enjoy some gal pal time at The Cape.  Have no fear though because I have an easy 'n fun tutorial for you today! :)  It's a birthday themed set which seems appropriate since today is my FIL- Don's birthday and 2 teacher pals birthday's as well!

 Here's another peek at Graphic 45's French Country line that inspired this card set. :) 
 

 I started with cutting some yellow cardstock 4 1/16" X 3 5/16".  Then I cut the Sunflower paper 2 1/2" X 3 7/8", the Deja Vu paper  2 1/4" X 3 7/8", and the Rendezvous paper 1 1/2" X 3 7/8".

 I layered everything leaving a 1/8" yellow border.  In retrospect, I probably didn't need to make the middle layer quite as big because I covered a good chunk of it with the bottom clock paper.  Oh well. :)

Next I cut 4 pieces of burlap ribbon about 4 inches each.  I added score-tape to the back of each one 'cause I've had the best luck with score-tape and burlap ribbon. :)

After adhering the burlap ribbon to the card fronts I set about getting the sentiments ready.  I used a couple of dies to cut more of the yellow paper & some cream, layered them together, added a sentiment, blinged them up, and foam taped them on the cards.  I adhered each one to a cream card base with some score-tape.  Now everything is ready to sign 'n send!!


Goodies used to create this set:
Tim Holtz - Distress Card Stock- Straw
Graphic 45- French Country- Sunflower
Graphic 45- French Country- Deja Vu
Graphic 45- French Country- Rendezvous
My Minds Eye- Sweetest Thing- Enamel Dots
Mon Ami Gabby- Burlap Ribbon- Green


Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Bon Anniversaire

Birthdays & anniversaries in July are very popular with my friends and family.  Pretty much every week there are one or two (sometimes four!)  Sadly, I usually don't remember the birthday until after it has passed!!!!  Sit down folks.  This time I am pleased to say that I have remembered two birthdays that are happening this week and have cards ready to go!

This Graphic 45 French Country Collection is yummy!  I knew right away that these papers would be perfect for the two birthdays on the calendar.  Can't go wrong with sunflowers, roosters, and pears for the folks celebrating their special day this week.  One is for a gal that grew up on a farm and the other is for a gal who started a soup kitchen at her church. 

Each pattern paper is framed with the same shade of burgundy cardstock to help make the patterns less overpowering.  The flower dies that come in this collection made for a fun extra dimension and those bees.  I love 'em.  Had to use them for the centers 'cause they are soooo pretty!!!

My words of wisdom for today- check you calendar.  Who needs a French Country card this week?

Here are some goodies to get you started!
Graphic 45- French Country- Flowers
Graphic 45- French Country- Abundance
Graphic 45- French Country- Deja Vu
Graphic 45- French Country- Provance 
Graphic 45- French Country- Banners

Joyeux Lundi!

Hen's Den Freedom Hop TODAY!

 July 1st is finally here!  I can't believe that school just ended for us this past Friday and July 4th is THIS WEEK!  The Hen's Den Design Team has come great tutorials and tips for you.  Here are the deets:

Hop to all of these places and leave a comment at each one between July 1st and July 6th.  On July 7th we'll pick a lucky commenter from random to win a TON of crafty prizes.

Anita Mulcahey

Moriah Macdonald---that's me!

Carolyn Lontin

Janet Bagnall

Nicolle Kramer

Charlie LaBonte

Facebook Page for The Hens' Den

If you hit all of our blogs and leave a comment not only are you are in the running for some great prizes, but you also get to see all the wonderful things my teammies have created and learn some new tricks.  It's a real win-win!

Charlie sent us all some great papers from the Anthem line by Bo Bunny.  I thought I'd share a paper-piecing home decor project with y'all today.  Grab a glass of lemonade or iced tea (I myself will be hopping while drinking my Grandma Poppy's famous homemade sweet tea warm off the stovetop) and get ready to get excited for the 4th!!!

I have a love-hate relationship with paper-piecing.  I love the look, but I sometimes get frustrated with the fussy cutting.  Like a moth to the flame, I continue to play with this technique 'cause the finished project is always too cute!  This project will have us fussy cut a daisy "Americana" style.  The first thing I did was stamp the daisy on some white cardstock.  I quick-and-dirty colored the center with a couple shades of yellow Copics.

So my husband just looked over my should as I was typing and asked "Why are there red arrows on your picture?"  I bet y'all are asking the same thing!  Well, see the messiness?  They great part about the paper-piecing in this project is that all that will get covered up or cut off.  Love it!  No need to worry about those little uh-ohs. :)

Next I stamped the daisy again on all the Anthem papers that had patterns I wanted to see peeking out of the daisy.  This can be a hard step for some folks- myself included.  It might mean that the best part of the paper is in the middle, but it's worth it in the end.  The extra details that are in a smidgin of the paper can really pop in the final piece.  Let's face it folks, the paper was meant to be cut. ;)

Once you've stamped out the daisy on all the papers, you'll need to begin cutting.  I can't emphasize how important it is to have good light and sharp scissors (in that order!).  I started cutting as the sun was setting and really should have turned on a light sooner! ;)  Matching up the petals to the black and white image was a little tricky until then.  My eyes just aren't what they used to be.  LOL!

My husband just piped in again and asked "Why did you stamp the whole daisy if you were just going to use a small piece?"  Good question (don't tell him I said that!).  You don't have to do that.  I wanted the flexibility to play around with the patterns and switch things around if it didn't quite jell.  The other reason, I was pretty sure I could use the leftovers to make a bunch of cards or tags.  Waste not, want not. :)

For me it's the petals with the blue/star/red splotch that are my favorite & the ones that were the hardest to cut.  The design was like 1/4 of the way in and 1/3 of the way up.  But then again, now that I've made the first cut I will really want to use the paper more!  Saving myself from paper hoarding!!! :D

Okay, okay, I digress.  More about the daisy!  As I cut each part I puzzle pieced it to the daisy.  I would recommend removable tape.  I kept bumping everything and then having to start over matching it up (again lighting- if I had turned the lights on sooner...).  I didn't glue as I went because I wasn't sure I wouldn't switch some petals around in the end (and I did).  Once I had it the way I wanted I glued the base of the petals- NOT the top.  Why?  I didn't want to fussy cut all the tops of the petals again.  Instead I kinda peeled the petals up and cut about 1/4 of the way down of the white underneath so that essentially there is a white circle shape under this daisy.  (This pic is from BEFORE I cut the white)

A new Homegoods opened up nearby.  Dangerous I know!!!  I decided to check it out last week and there in the clearance aisle was this lovely frame- $3.50!  I knew exactly when I saw it (and then whe I saw the price) that I was going to use it with this project.  Ahhh, love it when everything comes together.

I mounted everything to a 4x6 piece of the "Country" paper from the Anthem line.  I added the stars in circles from the sticker paper and the sentiment from the chipboard.  I love the Americana feel of this and had a vision of having a bow so I added Mon Ami Gabby burlap ribbon to top it off.  I am seriously crushing on this creation!!!  I still have more to play with and may have to make a banner or wreath to add to the collection. :)


Now don't forget leave a comment here and then head over to Carolyn Lontin.  You'll love what she has in store for you, I know I always do!

I've got my flag and am singing my way here:
ColourQ- Challenge 196
Simon Says Stamp- Patriotic

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Fun and Games 'til Retirement

One of my fellow Reading Specialists is retiring this year.  I'm happy for her, sad for us!  She's going to have lots of fun spending time with her grandbaby, traveling to see the US Open, and sleeping in on Monday mornings!! :)

I dipped into my June stash Charlie sent to make one of 2 book-style cards for the folks at school to write their "I'll miss you" messages.

There are about 80 staff at my school, so one little card isn't going to do it!  I decided to adhere 3 card bases together using Score-tape.  The extra pages will give people lots of room for signatures (I had to make 2 of these 'cause the first one filled up in 2 days!).

I wrapped ribbon around the "card" so it could tie shut with a ribbon 'cause it's so stinkin' cute with a bow!!

I just love how this turned out!  The sentiment says it all.  From this point on its all fun and games for our retiree!  We are all so jealous happy for her! :)

Got a friend you need a ?  Grab these goods:
My Minds Eye- The Sweetest Thing- 6x6 Pad
My Minds Eye- The Sweetest Thing- Label Stickers
My Minds Eye- Collectable- Unforgettable- Enamel Dots


CAD UPDATE---- He's Home!!!  I was able to bring him home last night and he is already acting like his old self. :)  I had to put together a spreadsheet for all the pills he is taking.  I told our family that after all is said and done we may have to have A&E come do an episode of Intervention with all the pills he is on!  Some are 3x's a day, some 2, some only once.  Some are 12 hours & others 8 hours.  3 are for pain and 2 antibiotics.  One is a "just in case" drug because they don't really know what's wrong.  Bottom line, it'll be at least a month before we know how this all pans out, but right now we are basking in the joy of having my "furry little brother" home! 

I tried to pay forward all the prayers/thoughts/vibes you have been sending our way to the night crew of Ward A at Tufts Vet Hospital in N. Grafton (it's open 24 hours a day/ 365 days a year).  I hit the new Wegman's and came back to them the other night with a bunch of yummy goodies (some healthy & some just delicious junk food) and a big box of coffee.  I thought it was a small gesture of thanks, but honestly you would have thought I brought a winning lotto ticket!  It was wonderful to know that I could give them the same warm fuzzies that all of you have been giving us.  It is amazing how small gestures can mean so much and impact your whole outlook on the day.  May all of you feel the warm fuzzies of thanks our family is sending your way throughout this weekend!

Happy Father's Day (early)

This past weekend we celebrated a bunch of family days- belated Mother's Day, belated youngest nephew's birthday, early SIL birthday, and *drumroll* early Father's Day!  I thought I might share the card I made for my FIL with y'all today.  :)  (Phew- all caught up until July, I think!)

 

These are the goodies I got from Charlie at The Hen's Den and I knew right away they'd be perfect for Father's Day.  You might at first look and say, "But I see flowers and lace!".  There is so much more on this set!!!


I cut the card base so that it was 4 1/4" X 4 1/4", then cut the white & blue paper 4 1/8" X 4 1/8", and finally the golden mustard paper was cut 4" X 4".  The layers were simply stacked and adhered together using Score-tape.

The stickers were used cause they all describe my FIL.  He's a happy guy, who loves to tell stories, is willing to try anything, and we all know we are loved.  :)  I totally lifted Carolyn's confetti idea using the enamel dots.  Love how it all came together- and so quickly too!!!

Wanna make one too?  Grab these goods:
My Minds Eye- The Sweetest Thing- 6x6 Pad
My Minds Eye- The Sweetest Thing- Label Stickers
My Minds Eye- The Sweetest Thing- Tiny Word Stickers
My Minds Eye- Collectable- Unforgettable- Enamel Dots

Bundle of Love

Happy Friday Peeps!  Thought I would take a break from my May Kit Club 2012 posts to share an uber adorable baby card.  So pull up a chair and a cuppa (we're doing iced ANYTHING in my neck of the woods.  It's going to be like 95-humid-degrees for the next few days!!!).

How super colorful and super cute is this?!? There just something so fun about mixing patterns with lots of bright pinks and yellows that makes me smile.  Come on, you're smiling right now aren't you? ;)  Hope so, that's my goal today!

We've got lots of babies in the future.  Two friends are having grandbabies, one coworker is on her last week before her baby is due, and our new next door neighbors are expecting their first very soon!  It's a good thing I like this card- I'm gonna be making a bunch!!!  Luckily, the 6x6 pad has plenty of sheets to work with in the scaled down patterns that look soooo cute on baby cards. :)

Goodies used to make this bundle smile:
My Minds Eye- Collectable- Unforgettable-Stickers
My Minds Eye- Collectable- Unforgettable- Buttons
My Minds Eye- Collectable- Unforgettable- Journal Paper
My Minds Eye- Collectable- Unforgettable- Story 6x6 Pad
The bling I used got sold out at the last big sale but I think this or this might work too! :)

Pet Update: I'm off today on an 1 1/2 hour drive to Western Mass to get Cad measured for a wheelchair. :(  We've reached that point, but the good news is that all his "medical staff" think he'll do great with a set of wheels and will gain lots more independence than he has had since last summer.  So far, so good with Amy.  She seems to be stable right now, although all she wants to eat is tuna and salmon.  Lucky for her, I like both and will happily share with her. :)

"Unforgettable" Set

I am soooo crushing on this Unforgettable paper line from My Minds Eye!  It is so easy to play with and have everything love marvelous.  It was begging to be put to use for a card set.  Card sets were also on my mind because Teacher Appreciation Week was well underway when I was crafting this set.  Teachers can ALWAYS use more blank note cards. (Hint, hint- great year end gift for your kiddos teacher).

Voila!  Each card has a white base making for a crisp frame for the Graphic 45 cardstock.  Its an awesome two tone paper that is perfect for dry embossing & sanding- which I totally took advantage of here.   The Journal Paper was great for cutting down to create and added layer of pop for the chipboard focal points.

Now the sentiments of some of these cards are best suited to a BFF, your mom, or sister.  Don't let that stop you from using some of the other chipboard shapes to create a fab thank you set for your "fav teach".  Fast, easy, outstanding.  It's an "unforgettably" wonderful set that anyone would love to get from you!

The uber goodies used from the "Eeek-I-love-it" stash you'll want to get to make your own set:
My Minds Eye- Collectable- Unforgettable - Buttons
My Minds Eye- Collectable- Unforgettable - Chipboard Shapes
My Minds Eye- Collectable- Unforgettable Story- 6X6 Pad
My Minds Eye- Collectable- Unforgettable - Journal Paper
My Minds Eye- Collectable- Unforgettable - Stickers
My Minds Eye- Collectable- Unforgettable - Pins
Graphic 45- Triumphant Red Cardstock
Graphic 45- Lemon Chiffon Cardstock
Graphic 45- Precious Pink Cardstock
Graphic 45- Bon Voyage Cardstock
May Arts- Blue Crochet Ribbon
May Arts- Crochet Trim

Happy Monday!

You Are the Best!

Wanna have fun? Wanna chance to play with some other fun peeps?  Read more below... :)

Lori designed a fab new Chic Sketch for us to play with this month.  You can play along and join the fun (and have a chance to join us as a guest designer!). Read below to find the link to play along...

 

I made a card using the right half of the double page spread. :)  Instead of a larger photo, I used one of the cards on the Journal Paper.  The tricky part was what to do in place of the smaller photos.  The chipboard banners were perfect!  The ribbon and another banner, a few chipboard flowers 'n buttons- Voila!

As I was getting ready to take pictures, I realized that I forgot to take a picture of my supplies before I dove in!!  A kitchen island with a paper explosion and 6 cards later (yup, you've got at least 5 more treats to look forward to this month!), I realized how right she was about how fun this line is to work with. :) 

Better grab some of these goods for yourself!  The "Unforgettable" goodies used from The Hen's Den to make this card:

My Minds Eye- Collectable- Unforgettable - Buttons
My Minds Eye- Collectable- Unforgettable - Chipboard Shapes
My Minds Eye- Collectable- Unforgettable Story- 6X6 Pad
My Minds Eye- Collectable- Unforgettable - Journal Paper
May Arts- Brown Crochet Ribbon

Teresa Collins Happiness Nosegay

Happy Monday Everyone! OMG!  I adore this new Memories line from Teresa Collins!!!!!  The colors are so peaceful and they make for such elegantly versatile cards. :)  The best part is that this card probably only took 15 minutes to make- 7 of which were deciding which flowers to use. LOL!

Who doesn't love to get flowers, unless you are allergic! This little nosegay card is perfect for that- no sniffles and you get a flower too. :)  The perfect kinda "just cuz" card.  Don't underestimate the importance of those "just cuz" cards.  We tend to wait for holidays or birthdays to send cards, but the unexpected joy that you get from that piece of art mailed from a friend for no other reason than to say "hey friend".  Its a hug via the mail and it feels sooooo good! 

From the pile-o-goodies above, I used these to make the Happiness Nosegay card:

May Arts- Crochet Ribbon- Baby Blue
Teresa Collins- Memories- Die Cut Flowers
Teresa Collins- Memories- Brads
Teresa Collins- Memories- Chipboard & Buttons
Teresa Collins- Memories- 6x6 Pad

So, who is the lucky person you will mail a hug to today?