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I Love You

2012-02-07T19:35:00.000-06:00

This week the challenge at Papercraft Star is hearts. I decided to use my Stampin' Up! heart shaped treat cups to make a fun little Valentine's Day card for my son Parker. I know he'll love this card because I filled the treat cup with M&M's! Once the red tab is pulled, the candy will fall out of the inside of the card. Despite using pink I don't think this card is too girly. I think red and pink are the classic Valentine's Day colors. I used the Pink Damask tape pattern from Tapeswell to create the background. I used a retired alphabet die from Lifestyle Crafts to diecut I Love You, I think it was called Abundance.

I hope you will come play along with us this week! We have a fabulous new team member named Slyvia that is sure to inspire you! You have until 6am eastern time Monday to link up! Our sponsor The House Across The Bay has so many wonderful digital images and you could win some by sharing your talent with us!

I'm sharing my project with Toys In The Dryer, Passionately Artistic, The Stuff Of Success,

Lifestyle Crafts and Tapeswell.

Supplies:
Sweatheart Treat Cups and Full Heart Punch from Stampin' Up!
Pink Damask decorative tape from Tapeswell
Alphabet die from Lifestyle Crafts
Decorative Label Punch from EK Success
Red and White cardstock from stash
And most importantly M&M's

Just Moved

2012-02-01T05:00:00.040-06:00

I decided to make a "just moved" card for this weeks Rustic Challenge at Papercraft Star. It's quite fitting for me this week since Chad & I are in the process of moving. We listed our home for sale had a contract on it within a week! We have been busy sorting and packing things. We found a craftsman inspired home in a great neighborhood. I love the floor plan and the huge rooms! I'm dreading packing up my craft room though!!! Ugh! Hopefully it won't take me very long to get my new craft room set up and organized. Hope, hope, hope. The new house has great bones, but we want to change a bunch of things right away. We want to paint and put granite in the kitchen and bathrooms. We want to get rid of the deck and pour a cement slab the length of the back of the house, then build a pergola over it. Lawn Doctor will need to come to help get the lawn into shape.

I can hardly wait to shop for new furniture! I'm hoping the Paula Deen Round Pedestal Table with the tobacco finish will work for my eat in kitchen. I've been in love with it for quite some time now! We are gaining a huge formal dining room and another bedroom.

I hope you will play along with us this week at Papercraft Star! You could win some fabulous digital images from our sponsor The House Across The Bay. It's always exciting to see what everyone else makes for the weekly challenge, we are all so very different! It makes it quite fun! You ave until 6 am Eastern time on Monday to enter. The inspirational pictures are always posted far in advance to plan for the weekly challenges. I hope to see you there :)

Supplies:

Papertrey Ink stampset Board & Beams

Designer paper from Close To My Heart

Copic Markers

Happy Birthday Chad

2012-01-30T07:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Chad!!!

I made this card for my dear hubby's birthday today. The diamond pattern was made by repurposing a beer can. After cutting it into a sheet I embossed it, colored it with Copic markers and carefully cut it to size. It's glued down to the cardstock with Scor-tape. I found the golf bag sticker at Hobby Lobby, it's Jolee's. Not sure if I spelled that correctly. The Happy Birthday sentiment was made with my new micro font die from Die-Versions.

Thank You For Your Support

2012-01-25T05:00:00.048-06:00

This week theme at Papercraft Star is a Victorian challenge, something from the 1800's.

I think the Victorian Women images are perfect to make a card for a friend. It took a while to put all the eyelets on the scalloped paper strips then lace with ribbon. I like the way it turned out though. I'll have to try this technique again soon.

The corset is from the digital set Victorian Unmentionables from our sponsor The House Across The Bay. It's a black and white image that I lightly colored and fussy cut to put inside the card. I hand wrote "Thank You For Your Support" What do you think? Do you think it's funny too? I'm thinking next time I'll use the image for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Or maybe a color it red for a sexy Valentine's Day Card. ;)

Supplies:

Digital Images: Victorian Women 170 and Victorian Unmentionables 075 from The House Across The Bay

Pink Bitty Dots paper from Papertrey Ink

Pink Textured cardstock, ribbon, eyelets, flowers and pearls from stash

Scalloped edge punch

Thank You

2012-01-18T05:00:00.002-06:00

The challenge this week for Papercraft Star is to use a frame. There is always a photo you can use as inspiration if you choose. I decided to use a metal plate to frame a rose. The roses are from a digital sheet from The House Across The Bay called Botanical Roses 064.

I was inspired by a card on page 12 from my the Stampin' Up! 2011-2012 catalog. I used Crumb cake ink on the Very Vintage jumbo wheel for a subtle design on the kraft card stock. The scalloped edge was made with a punch using Close To Cocoa card stock. The pattern on the pink textured card stock was made by using Close To Cocoa ink with the Belle wheel. The seam binding ribbon is color is called Crumb Cake. The "Thank You" sentiment is also from Stampin' Up! The set is retired, I think it was called Artistically Asian. I fussy cut two roses for inside the frame and layered them by using some Helmar Zap Dot foam mounting squares to give them some dimension.

I hope that you will come play along with us this week!

Supplies:

Digital Image from The House Across The Bay called Botanical Roses 064

Cardstock, Ink, Ribbon, Metal Frame, Scalloped Edge Punch and Stamps from Stampin' Up!

Adhesives from Helmar

Snowman Kit

2012-01-11T05:00:00.007-06:00

This week the challenge at Papercraft Star is warmth.

There is always a photo that can be used as inspiration if you choose. I hope you will come play along with us! The challenges are always posted ahead of time so you can plan what you are going to make. You have until 6am eastern time to link up a project to possibly win some digital images from our sponsor The House Across The Bay.
When I think warmth I normally think of the warmth of sunshine or a soft snuggly blanket.

I was inspired by this ornament and loved the thought of what a snowman represents!

Here's the front of the snowman kit I made for my son Parker.

I started by repurposing a candy box.

I peeled the paper off because I wanted to see how it was made and to make sure another layer of paper would not make it hard to open the box. Sometimes the lids fit too snugly like on perfume boxes, so adding a layer of fabric or paper makes it hard to slide open. After covering the box with shades of blue textured cardstock I decorated with a bunch of snowmen and snowflakes.

Here are all the kit contents to include a package of cocoa mix.

I love the shimmer and sparkle from the paper and beaded snowflakes.

The die used for the title is called Deck The Halls from a gift set called Jolly that came from Lifestyle Crafts. The snowmen also were from several dies from Lifestyle Crafts.

Inside I typed the kit contents and added a certificate of presentation from "Blank Backgrounds 045"

and a little snowflake from The House Across The Bay.

I'm sharing this with Lifestyle Crafts, The Stuff of Success, Tatertots and Jello, Passionately Artistic, Toys In The Dryer and Make It Monday.

Supplies:

Digital Images Blank Backgrounds and Christmas Squares 055 from The House Across The Bay

White Shimmer cardstock from Papertrey Ink

Colored cardstock and Glittered cardstock from stash

Beaded Snowflakes and corncob pipe from Hobby Lobby

Snowflake punch from Marvy

Alphabet and Snowman dies from Lifestyle Crafts

Baby It's Cold Outside

2012-01-04T05:00:00.002-06:00

This week's challenge at Papercraft Star is winter. For this challenge I altered another chipboard house to make it hold a box of Kleenex. I painted it white then started the decorating the house Bright from the Starlight collection and Snowday digital elements from Pink Paislee. In the windows I used Victorian Women 170 from The House Across The Bay. I coated the roof and ground with glue then sprinkled with glitter.

I used puff paint to look like snow building up in the windows. I just love that patterned paper form Pink Paislee. It kinda reminded me of snowflakes falling. The glitter reminds me of the glisten snow seems to have, so pretty! Here's the link for a picture tutorial on how I alter the houses.

I hope you will come play along with us this week at Papercraft Star! You will have until 6am eastern time to link up your winter project to possibly win some digital images from our sponsor The House Across The Bay. The other designers are sure to inspire you too!

I'm sharing this with The Stuff Of Success, Passionatley Artistic, Pile It On, Crafty Calender Challenge, Speedy Cat Friends, Make It Monday, Tatertots and Jello, The Secret Crafter, Sparkles Forum, Crafts and Me, Little Darlings, Digital Tuesday, and One Stop Craft Challenges.

Supplies:
Digital Images: Victorian Women 170 form The House Across The Bay, Snowday elements from Pink Paislee
Chipboard house from Hobby Lobby
Starlight-Bright patterned paper from Pink Paislee
Misc: white paint, glitter,puff paint, trees and wreath from Hobby Lobby

Our Christmas Trees

2011-12-29T21:15:00.004-06:00

I just had to participate in the December Challenge "Happy Helmar Holidays". They have another fabulous sketch to use. As long as they have monthly challenges I'll be playing along! It's been fun playing along recently. It's always a challenge for me to get scrapbook pages made. I guess I just love making cards and always need to make a Thank You card. I used the "Deck The Halls" alphabet die from Lifestyle Crafts for the title. I made the red sparkle ornaments with their circle nesting dies and Cherry Bomb Glitter Blast spray paint from Krylon. It's so awesome!!!

I decided the trees needed to be the actual pictures of all my Christmas trees. I fussy cut photographs of my trees then used Helmar's Zapdots foam mounting squares to pop them up. Have you tried the Helmar Premium Craft Glue? It's like using a hot glue gun, but with out the wait for a hot glue gun to heat up or burn your fingers. So Awesome!!! The Gingerbread tree goes on my kitchen table, I made some of the ornaments with polymer clay. I just love gingerbread! The large tree with burgundy ribbon is for in my living room.TheTop Hat tree is in Parker's room - it has all the handmade beaded snowflakes and garland I made on it. Here's the link for my photo tutorial on how to make them. Last year I got Chad to help me make a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, it goes in the bonus room.

Along the bottom the sentiments read "There seems a magic in the very name of Christmas. -Charles Dickens", "We never outgrow our love for presents. -Alexandra Stoddard", "The beginning is giving. -Muriel Rukeyser. The white sentiment square reads "The best of all gifts around and Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family. -Burton Hills" The background paper is called Icon Dot Mistletoe from the Mistletoe collection of Making Memories.

Isn't it a great sketch!

I'm sharing this with Helmar, Lifestyle Crafts, Passionately Artistic, The Stuff of Success and Tatertots and Jello.

Tea, tea it's time for tea!

2011-12-28T05:00:00.016-06:00

This week at Papercraft Star the challenge is tea or coffee. I decided I would take the challenge of tea since I am a coffee drinker and the inspirational photo is a tea party scene. I used a template from Layers Of Color along with the digital image Roses Botanical 064 from The House Across The Bay to make the teacup.

I can't help but think of Alice In Wonderland when I think of tea. I love the scene at the Mad Hatters Unbirthday Tea Party.The inside of the card is a pop up teacup. I think I will be sticking to dies to try this technique again! I love the way it turned out, but took me a while to get it glued down just right to pop up when the card is opened! Our Sponsor The House Across The Bay has some fun digital images of scenes of Alice In Wonderland. I thought this image would be fun to use as the tag for a teabag!
Come play along with us and you could win some fun digital images, you have until 6am eastern time on Monday to link up your project. I know the other designers are sure to wow you too!

I'm sharing this with Layers Of Color, Passionately Artistic, Make It Monday and The Stuff Of Success.

Supplies:

Digital Images from The House Across The Bay Alice In Wonderland 176 and Roses Botanical 064

Stampers Select White Cardstock, 2008 Bitty Dot Basics paper from Papertrey Ink

Pink Damask paper from Stampin' Up!

Teacup Template from Layers Of Color

Adhesives from Helmar

Ribbon and twine from my stash
Metallic Gold Ink

Rocky Road Brownies

2011-12-21T06:00:00.053-06:00

This week's challenge at Papercraft Star is to make a tag or gift card. I decided to make a simple gift tag and box using digital images from our sponsor The House Across The Bay. I used Christmas Squares 055 to make the box and Vintage Frames 100 for the gift tag.

In the box you can see the gift tag and the Rocky Road Brownies! Yummy!

I'm sharing my recipe with you below.

I hope you will come play along with us this week at Papercraft Star. You have until 6am eastern time to show off your tag or gift card holder. Plus possibly win some fabulous digital downloads!

I know the other designers that will have some things sure to inspire you!

Mmmm, look at all that gooey goodness!

Rocky Road Brownies

1/2 cup melted butter

1/4 milk or buttermilk

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup sugar

1 cup chocolate chips

3/4 chopped nuts - I prefer pecans

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cocoa powder

1 cup marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease 8x8 pan. Mix butter, milk, egg, vanilla and sugar. Add in the flour and cocoa powder. Stir in the chocolate chips, nuts and marshmallows. Pour in pan and bake about 30-35 minutes. Let cool and serve.

I'm sharing this with Really Reasonable Ribbon Top Tip Tuesday, Everybody Art Challenge,

Anything Goes Challenge, Bearly-Mine, Passionately Artistic and The Stuff Of Success.

Supplies:

Digital Images from The House Across The Bay Christmas Squares 055 and Vintage Frames 100

Martha Stewart Gingerbread Punch and scoring Board

Stampin' Up! Merry Christmas Stamp
Green, Red and White cardstock from stash

Red Satin Ribbon from my stash

Holiday pick from Hobby Lobby

Christmas Ornament

2011-12-14T06:00:00.008-06:00

I made this card by fussy cutting several branches from the Christmas Botanicals digital paper. I made the ornaments with Fabric Circles, covered them in Liquid Glass, glued a paperclip to the back, tied a bow on them and attached them to the card with foam mounting squares. Finally I stamped Peaceful Wishes.
Ta-dah!
You have until 6am eastern time Monday to come play along in this week's challenge at Papercraft Star to win some digital downloads from our sponsor The House Across The Bay.

I'm sharing my card with The Stuff Of Success and Passionatley Artistic.

Supplies:
Digital Image Fabric Circles 065 & Christmas Botanicals 069 from The House Across The Bay
Ribbon from my stash
Peaceful Wishes stamp from Stampin' Up!
Paperclips
Foam Mounting Squares
Liquid Glass

Snowman Poop

2011-12-07T22:01:00.000-06:00

Today I'm sharing my hot cocoa recipe and a fun little gift I will be giving to my sister Roxanne for Christmas. She's getting Snowman Poop!

Here's the inside of the treat packaging. You can see I stapled a snack size ziploc bag in it full of marshmallows, I mean snowman poop ;)

I made a matching card too. I think the snowman is so funny! I won this digital image recently from at challenge at Sugar Creek Hollow. It's called Bad Hair Day.

I used my Windsor & Newton Iridescent Medium to give a nice shimmer to the snowman. No onto the recipe for the best hot cocoa!

Ingredients

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3/4 cup white sugar

1 pinch salt

1/3 cup boiling water

3 1/2 cups milk

3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup half-and-half cream

Directions

Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Blend in the boiling water. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn't scorch. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil! Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs. Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature.

I'm sharing this with Sugar Creek Hollow, Really Reasonable Ribbon, Stampotique Designer's Challenge, Passionately Artistic and The Stuff Of Success.

Papercraft Star Challenge 74

2011-12-07T06:00:00.001-06:00

The challenge this week is a Tree at Papercraft Star. I used my Copic markers to color my Melissa Frances Tree. For the background I used several digital images from our sponsor The House Across The Bay. The green postcard digital image reminds me of a letter to Santa.

I hope you will come play along with us. I know you will be inspired by the other designers too! If you play along you could win some digital downloads. The challenges are always posted far in advance, which makes it easy to plan and make a craft ahead of time! You have until 6am eastern time to link up!

Isn't the tree lovely plain white too!

Supplies:

Digital images Seeing Red 056 and Green Grunge 054 from The House Across The Bay

Melissa Frances Tree embellishment

White satin ribbon from my stash

Peace Love Joy

2011-12-05T19:27:00.000-06:00

I had fun playing with my twine making this Christmas card. I used a spirelli technique to make the wreath. There are a bunch of video tutorials on You Tube here is the link for one. The stamp and the embossing folder came from Stampin' Up! Spellbinders Labels Sixteen is one of my favorite dies!

I'm excited to see that Scrapscene posted my card on their blog today! Yay!

Here's the link to it. They are going to highlight a new Christmas card everyday!

Papercraft Star Challenge 73

2011-11-30T06:00:00.021-06:00

For Papercraft Star this week the challenge is to use a sketch by Kim Duran of Paper Loves Glue.
I used a digital image from our sponsor The House Across The Bay called Christmas Botanicals 069.
I fussy cut two of the wreaths and glued them together to make it fuller. I put red glitter glue over the berries for a bit of sparkle then added a red bow.Finally I stamped Peaceful Wishes and the poinsettias, added more ribbon and twine. Ta da!

You have until 6am Monday to come play along in this week's challenge to win some digital downloads from our sponsor The House Across The Bay.

I'm sharing my card with The Stuff Of Success and Passionatley Artistic.

Supplies:

Digital Image Christmas Botanicals 069 from The House Across The Bay
Ripe Avocado and Stamper's Select White cardstock from Papertrey Ink
Twine from The Twinery
Red satin ribbon and glitter glue from my stash
Stamps from Stampin' Up!

Pre K

2011-11-27T18:58:00.000-06:00

I made this scrapbook page to play along in the Helmar November Challenge "All About YOU and Helmar". I blew up a digital image from The House Across The Bay from the Blank Backgrounds set. I think the report card is just perfect for this Pre K page. I added a few rub ons from Pink Paislee and some fun little foam stickers I found at The Dollar Tree. I used a punch from Stampin' Up! to make the film strip. The twill measuring tape is so fun! I used alphabet dies from Lifestyle Crafts to cut the title "pre-k".

I hate my handwriting, but I know someday Parker will appreciate seeing it in the scrapbooks I make all about him.

Never Ending Card

2011-11-27T14:10:00.000-06:00

Today I made a Never Ending card using Christmas Emporium from Graphic 45 and

glue runner from Helmar. There are some great videos on the Internet showing you how to make a never ending card. Basically it is a 6"x6" square card that keeps opening and opening. It's hard to describe, but you cut one 6"x6" paper in half vertically and the other horizontally. Then glue them together only on the four outer corners and start folding.

This is the front of the card.

The first fold.

The second fold.

I used a few digital images from The House Across The Bay one the final fold.

I was so very excited to see my name listed here as one of the winners of the Graphic 45 Thank You card challenge! These are the goodies from the Christmas Emporium collection Graphic 45 sent me.

Thank you Graphic 45!

And I was totalled thrilled to see my name here as the winner of the Helmar Out Of The Box Challenge winner from October! These are the goodies Helmar sent me.

Thank You Helmar!

I'm sharing this fancy fold card with Graphic 45, Helmar, Sugar Creek Hollow, Passionately Artistic and Tatertots And Jello.

Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake

2011-11-27T09:30:00.003-06:00

This recipe was shared with me by my friend Nena in November of 1995. Our families shared Thanksgiving together for a good 10 years before they were assigned another duty station. Sniffle, sniffle, Chad and I still hope that someday they will make it back here to retire. I can't imagine a Thanksgiving or a Christmas dinner without her Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake. Thank you Nena!

Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake

For the crust

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 cup melted butter

1/3 cup finely chopped pecans

For the filling

2 eight ounce packages cream cheese softened at room temperature

3/4 cup sugar

3 eggs

1/2 cup whipping cream

1 cup canned pumpkin

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

For the topping

1 cup sour cream

3 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup pecan halves

In a 9" spring form pan mix graham crackers, sugar, butter and pecans. Press mixture on bottom of pan and place in freezer until filling is ready.

In a large bowl cream cheese cream and sugar until smooth. Beat in one egg at a time. Stir in whipping cream, pumpkin, maple syrup, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour into chilled crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes.

While cheesecake is baking prepare topping by mixing sour cream, sugar and vanilla. Refrigerate until cheesecake is finished baking. Spread topping over hot cheesecake and decorate with pecan halves. Bake for additional 10 minutes. Let stand until it cools down, then refrigerate at least 4 hours.

I know once you try this Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake it will become part of your family tradition too!

Yep, it's that good!

Banana Nut Bread

2011-11-26T13:25:00.000-06:00

I got this recipe from my mother probably 20 years ago. It's simple and Oh So Good!

Here's the original recipe card my mother gave me. You can tell it's been well loved because it's a bit stained and no longer white. Notice my notes of baking times for cupcakes (muffins) and mini's. And yes my mother's name really is Mona Lisa.

You can bake a loaf and easily store it in the freezer for 6 months. That's if it doesn't get gobbled up right away! Two loaves will fit in a gallon ziplock bag, I like to wrap them individually in saran wrap first.

Banana Nut Bread

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup oil

2 eggs

4 very ripe bananas

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 3/4 cup flour

1 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350. Blend eggs, oil and sugar together. Add in bananas. Sift together salt, baking powder, baking soda and flour. Stir in dry ingredients a little at a time. Stir in nuts (I prefer pecans, or you can use walnuts). Pour mixture into greased and floured bread pan. Bake for about 50-55 minutes.

Note: Once a banana gets too ripe for me to eat I will place it in the freezer until I have enough to make Banana Nut Bread. The bananas stay good for at least 6 months in the freezer. Once I'm ready to bake the bread I place them in the sink to thaw. You can run under water to help remove the banana peel.

I'm sharing my recipe with Sugar Creek Hollow, Passionately Artistic, The Stuff Of Success and
Tatertots And Jello.

Give Thanks

2011-11-24T13:08:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Papercraft Star Challenge 72

2011-11-23T06:00:00.001-06:00

This weeks challenge at Papercraft Star is Anything Goes!

This lovely vintage image is from our sponsor The House Across The Bay. I just adore the images in the digital collage Garden 117. I love the rich color combination of pumpkin and cranberry.

I hope you will stop by and see the other designers fabulous creations. Plus come play along to win some downloads from The House Across The Bay! You have until 6 am Monday to play along.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Supplies:
Digital image from The House Across The Bay Garden 117
Cardstock Terracotta Tile and Scarlet Jewel from Papertrey Ink
damask embossing folder from Paper Studio
Lace from stash and Snug Hug seam binding

Gifts In A Jar

2011-11-20T14:49:00.001-06:00

For years I have been making Gifts In A Jar to give as Christmas gifts. I've put together jars of all sorts of recipes like my Rocky Road Brownies, Blondies, Strawberry Muffins and Chili Mac. This year I thought I would make everyone's all time favorite.

Chocolate Chip Cookies In A Jar

1 1/4 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 sugar

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

1/4 cup chopped nuts

Sift the flour, baking soda and salt. Layer the ingredients into a 1 quart mason jar. Pack the ingredients down slightly before adding another layer. Cover the jar with fabric and attach a gift tag with ribbon.

Gift Tag Instructions

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 egg

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 jar Chocolate Chip Cookies Mix

Preheat oven to 350. Beat butter, egg and vanilla until blended. Add cookie jar mix and stir until well blended. Drop heaping spoonfuls of dough onto cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Place cookies on wire rack to cool.

Enjoy!

I made the gift tag using Happy Holidays paper name from Graphic 45, it's part of the Christmas emporium collection. I used Spellbinders Labels Sixteen to die cut the tag. My handwriting is terrible, so I typed the instructions and taped to the back. Isn't the mug and plate the cutest! It was given to me as a gift years ago, it's something I wish treasure forever!

I'm sharing this with Sugar Creek Hollow, Passionately Artistic, Verve and Tatertots And Jello.

Christmas Cookies

2011-11-16T20:36:00.000-06:00

I just adore Gingerbread men! I think they are the cutest!

I made the bottom of the box out of 12x12 textured red cardstock.

I made the lid out of 8.5x8.5 kraft cardstock. I used a Martha Stewart Gingerbread Punch for the outside edges. I punched scallop border on red cardstock to line the inside square window.I used Scor-tape to attach a piece of clear acetate and to adhere all the edges.

The Gingerbread man stamp came from Stampin' Up! I love kraft and red together! This box can easily hold a dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies.

I'm sharing this with The Kraft Journal, Passionately Artistic and The Stuff Of Success.

Thank You

2011-11-16T06:00:00.003-06:00

This weeks challenge at Papercraft Star is to make a Thank You card.

I had a piece of color shifting ribbon in my stash that beautifully accents the digital image Halloween from The House Across The Bay. Yes, it's from the Halloween collection! I heat embossed the thank you sentiment on another digi from Vintage Frames, punched it out, outlined the edges and popped it up with some Zapdots.

This is a picture that can be used for inspiration if you choose.

You have until 6am Monday to share your Thank You Card and have a chance to win some digital downloads from our sponsor The House Across The Bay. I'm sure you will be inspired by the other designers as well!

I'm sharing my card with Passionately Artistic and The Stuff Of Success.

Supplies:

Digital Images Halloween 173 & Vintage Frames 100 from The House Across The Bay

Thank You stamp and punch from Stampin' Up!

Brown cardstock, ink, embossing powder, zapdots and ribbon from stash

Merry Christmas

2011-11-15T20:17:00.000-06:00

I just love this reindeer from Lifestyle Crafts! I've had if for a couple of years now and it always makes me happy to see it on one of the Christmas cards I make. I popped it up with foam squares and added a red baker's twine bow. The paper and sentiment came from Stampin' Up! years ago. The other die is from Spellbinders labels 16 also one of my all time favorite dies!

I'm sharing this card with Sugar Creek Hollow and Lifestyle Crafts.

Be Thankful

2011-11-13T12:36:00.000-06:00

Do you ever by stampsets because you really love only one of the set?

I had to have the Gift givers stamp set from Stampin' Up! because I just loved the one with the pumpkins.

They are all cute, but I don't think I'd ever make anything with the rest. If anything I'll let Parker ink them up to make cards for his teacher and grandparents.

I just love this twine color! It's called Cappuccino from The Twinery. The paper came from Stampin' Up! It was from one of those simply scrapping sets.

Where has the year gone? I can hardly believe Thanksgiving is almost here! I love this time of the year!

Time to Be Thankful!

I'm sharing my card with Penny Black At Allsorts, Sentimental Sundays, Sparkles Forum, Stampin' Sisters In Christ, Stamptacular Sunday , Tatertots & Jello and Passionately Artistic.

Thank You

2011-11-09T14:54:00.001-06:00

I really love this paper from Graphic 45! Poppy Fields is so fabulous! I'm almost out of it so I need to order more! The base is a piece of Poppy Red cardstock from Papertrey Ink. I love just how heavy their cardstock is! I then cut a piece of poppy Fields to layer over the base. I wanted to highlight just one poppy so I colored it a deeper shade of red, colored the stem a deeper green, then covered it in Liquid Glass. I stamped "Thank You" on vellum using black craft ink and black embossing powder. I trimmed that strip to about 1"wide. Then I made a couple of tiny marks to give me a guide of where to cut with a craft knife. I then slide the vellum under the flower, folded the excess behind the patterned paper and glued the whole piece down in place on the red cardstock. I love that shine on both the sentiment and the flower!

I'm sharing this with Graphic 45, Passionately Artistic, Simon Says Stamp and The Stuff Of Success.

Advent Calendar

2011-11-09T06:00:00.001-06:00

This week's challenge for Papercraft Star is to use numbers. So I decided to make an advent calendar and a matching card to give as a Christmas present.

I made a huge white satin bow for the top of the box.

The patterned paper came from BoBunny. It's called Snowy Serenade from the Glitter Series. The shine and sparkle is so gorgeous! I also used a glitter card stock to die cut the numbers.

On the back of the advent calendar I used a digital image "Presented To" to add the finishing touch.

You have until 6 am Monday to play along with us at Papercraft Star for a chance to win some digital images from our sponsor The House Across The Bay.

I'm linking this up to the following sites Really Reasonable Ribbon, Passionately Artistic, The Stuff of Success, Tatertots & Jello, Lifestyle Crafts, Christmas Inspirations, Creative Inspirations Paint, I Did It Creations, Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas, Little Claire's, Speedy Cats Friends and Wee Memories.

Supplies:

Digital Image "Presented To" from The House Across The Bay Blank Backgrounds 045

Designer Paper from BoBunny called Snowy Serenade

Number dies from Lifestyle Crafts SOPH-16-12, SOPH-17-34, SOPH-18-56, SOPH-19-78, SOPH-20-90

Wish Big stamp and ink from Stampin' Up!

White Glitter paper, cardstock and white satin ribbon from stash

White paint

Chipboard Box from Christmas craft section of Hobby Lobby

Poppy Fields

2011-11-08T17:14:00.001-06:00

As soon as I saw this paper from Graphic 45 I knew I had to have it! It's called Poppy Fields.

I just love poppies! They are such a delicate and beautiful flower.

In this picture you can see just how pretty the glitter is. You can also see how I fussy cut the flowers and layered them. They are slightly popped up for a bit of dimension. Did you notice the paper I stamped "Give Thanks" on? I used the same poppy fields paper but white washed it with watered down white acrylic paint to soften the flowers. By doing this the sentiment could stand out. There are some papers I wish would never retire! This is one of them!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges...Creative Card Crew, Die Cuttin' Divas, My Craft Spot,

My Grafico and Come And Get It.

Sleeping Death

2011-11-08T13:34:00.000-06:00

Today is the last day for Stampotique Designer's Challenge Altered Poison Bottle. I really love all the stamps that Stampotique has for sell! After finding this bottle I couldn't help but think of medieval times, and of Snow White. I stamped the head from Linda on white cardstock then stamped an apple over it. I then used a clear embossing powder to give the apple a nice shine. The tag is a digital image called Grunge Tags from The House Across The Bay. The words actually my own handwriting! I have such terrible handwriting I usually print everything if I need someone else to be able to read it! I think I did a decent job making the little skull and cross bones.

Believe

2011-11-07T15:48:00.000-06:00

I just love this reindeer die from Lifestyle Crafts! I recently ordered online a sheet of paper from BoBunny called Blitzen. I was hoping it could easily be cut up to mass produce Christmas cards. No such luck, Blitzen was just way to big. So I was able to pull out my die and make a card I like even better :)

The snowflakes and wreath are made with Martha Stewart punches. The sentiment and the punch used for it came from Stampin' Up! I added some sparkle with Windsor & Newtons iridescent watercolor medium. So now to make at least 40 more Christmas cards! I love this time of year!

Love this

2011-11-05T07:58:00.000-05:00

In my email newsletter from Lifestyle Crafts I saw this turquoise camera bag! LOVE IT! Wouldn't that be fabulous! I so badly need a new camera and would love to win this!!!

Here's the link to the community projects on their site. I have posted a few of the things I made using their products and dies.

Papercraft Star Challenge 69

2011-11-02T06:00:00.001-05:00

This is the photo inspiration for this week's challenge to use a flourish at Papercraft Star.

I hope you will come on over and play along with us. You have until 6 am Monday to win some digital downloads from our sponsor The House Across The Bay.

I liked the feel of the photo inspiration so I tried to recreate it with the digital image White Grunge Squares. The image has a subtle damask and flourish pattern and it has my favorite color brown!

It's hard to photograph but I added an iridescent medium over the image. I wanted it to capture light like it does when it rains during the day.

Here's a picture of the bottle of the Winsor & Newton Watercolor Iridescent Medium I used. Look at the shimmer at the top of the bottle, so pretty. Just a little bit can go a long way. If you put some in a spray mist bottle with re-inkers and water you can create your own glimmer mist. This bottle costs around $9 and can go a very long way!

Supplies:

Digital Images White Grunge Squares from The House Across The Bay

"For You" sentiment, punch and Chocolate Brown card stock and ink came from Stampin' Up!

New Leaf grosgrain ribbon from Papertrey Ink

Windsor & Newton Watercolor Iridescent Medium

Flourish die manufacturer is unkown

Papercraft Star Challenge 68

2011-10-26T06:00:00.003-05:00

This week is a sketch challenge at Papercraft Star. I had the hardest time deciding on what I wanted to do for this one until I finally settled on a Halloween card. I used several digital images from our sponsor

The House Across The Bay.

I added a bit of dimension to the cat, bat, spider and bug by covering them in Liquid Glass. The background is the Damask pattern decorative tape from Tapeswell. I've been having fun playing with crepe paper lately. I like the crinkly texture it has. I just love the Halloween sentiment in that orange felt!

Here's the original sketch. I hope you will come play along in the fun with us at Papercraft Star!

The other designers always have some amazing projects that are sure to inspire you!

You have until 6 am Monday EST to link up and possibly win some digital downloads from The House Across The Bay.

Supplies:

Digital Downloads: Spooky Halloween Nine and Halloween Bugs and Bats from The House Across The Bay

Black Damask decorative tape from Tapeswell

Crepe Paper

Liquid Glass from Close To My Heart

Halloween sentiment in felt from The Little Yellow Bicycle

Cardstock in Stampers Select White and True Black from Papertrey Ink

Fangtastic

2011-10-24T21:19:00.000-05:00

I decided to make a coffin tag for Stampotique Designers Challenge. The fangtastic and bat came from Close To My Heart. I can not remember where the felt cat sticker came from. And the Angel came from Stampotique. The paper in the background came from Stampin' Up!

Hocus Pocus Phantom Tissue Box House

2011-10-23T20:22:00.000-05:00

Isn't this a cute little chipboard house! I found it in the Christmas craft section of Hobby Lobby.

I've altered it to hold a box of Kleenex. Here's the link for a previous tutorial on how to alter these cute little chipboard houses. I decided I wanted to make this on a Halloween House dripping with slime. So I gave it a base coat of black and green acrylic paint. Then started adding layers of paper and other embellishments.

Here's the front view of the house. I mainly used the Phantom and Hocus Pocus line by Pink Paislee. I also used some dies from Quickutz/Lifestyle Crafts.

Here's a view of one of the sides. Oh the little fence was a Martha Stewart punch.

Here's the view of the back The plain tombstone is from Quickutz/Lifestyle Crafts and the RIP one is from Martha Stewart.

Here's the other side view. The skeleton and the tree also came from Quickutz/Lifestyle Crafts.

Spooky

2011-10-23T09:20:00.000-05:00

I finally made a scrapbook page!

Goodness, that is half the reason I buy so much paper! lol

I have been inspired by the "Out of the Box with Helmar" October Challenge!

Back in May we went to Disney World to celebrate Parker's 5th Birthday. It was a great trip! We stayed in the Disney resort where the rooms were Pirate themed, the beds were ships! After we got to out room Parker asked me if he was dreaming! It was so honest and sweet! We had not even been to any of the theme parks yet! We took him to the Pirate's League for the full experience of costume, makeup and a photo shoot. He loved it! I had no idea that everyone would be so totally in character! It took close to 2 hours for the entire process start to finish. His official pirate name became Tobias Sharkbite.

The aged paper background is a digital download from The House Across The Bay. It's from the cardmaker series originally supposed to be 4x4 square. I love it blown up! Most of the other elements are from Pink Paislee, the Hocus Pocus and the new Phantom line. It took a while to fussy cut Spooky out of the 12x12 page...but so worth it! I know there are a ton of retailers out there, but one that has the most exceptional customer service is Blue Moon Scrapbooking! I was able to get every single item of the Phantom collection there! LOVE it! The only store near me to get craft supplies is Hobby Lobby. I do frequent them a lot, but wish they carried a bigger selection of my favorite companies!

Stem and Burst

2011-10-21T17:00:00.001-05:00

Have you checked out the Tapeswell Blog lately?

It's always so exciting for me to see the things I make for Tapeswell get photographed and posted on either the website or blog!!! I had so much fun making an entire party ensemble with the decorative tape patterns Burst and Stem. I just love the bright and cheery colors! If you check out the blog you will get see a couple other pictures of the invitation, milk carton favor and cupcake box.

Here's the picture I took of everything. I had such a hard time getting a good picture. The lighting in my kitchen is not the best. I signed up to take a Photo Shop class at APSU, so hopefully I will learn to make my not so great pictures look better!

Parker could hardly wait for me to take the picture so he could have a cupcake!

I'm sharing this with Passionately Artistic, Tatertots and Jello and The Stuff of Success.

Papercraft Star Challenge 67 Halloween

2011-10-19T06:00:00.004-05:00

As soon as I saw this image from The House Across The Bay I knew I had to use it for Papercraft Star Challenge 67 Halloween! I just love it! It totally screamed The Great Pumpkin to me!

Isn't it the Most Sincere Pumpkin Patch!

I used two sheets of the tags. One for the back ground and one fussy cut so I could add the Peanuts stickers while giving more dimension to the pumpkins. I stamped Happy Halloween by Linus on the tag and Twick or Tweet by Woodstock. I can almost hear Lucy yelling "You Blockhead" at Charlie Brown!

Come link up your Halloween creation with us at Papercraft Star!

There will be a couple of winners that can choose some digital downloads from our sponsor

The House Across The Bay! You have until 6am Monday to play along!

I'm linking up to the following challenges... Paper Sundaes, Stamptacular Sunday, Stampin Sisters In Christ, Freshly Brewed, Get Funky, My Mojo Monthly, Really Reasonable Ribbon, Through The Craft Room Door, Challenge Up Your Life, Crafty Emma, Designed 2 Delight, One Stop Craft, The Stuff of Success, Passionately Artistic and My Sheri Crafts.

Supplies:

Digital image from The House Across The Bay Pumpkin Patch 168

Peanuts stickers from EK Success

Ribbon from stash
Stamps from Stampin' Up!

Foam dimensionals

Papercraft Star Challenge 66 Fall Leaves

2011-10-12T06:00:00.002-05:00

I just love all the warm earthy colors of Fall! There are so many beautiful shades of red, orange, yellow, green and brown starting to show up in trees here in the south. It's just breath taking here during the peak of the season. The Great Smokies are incredible this time of year!

Here's another picture of my card in the sunlight. you can get a better glimpse of the metallic rub-on paste I used to highlight the leaves on the embossed background. It looks so pretty on the red cardstock and goes so well with the Log Brown seam binding ribbon.

Here is the photo inspiration for this week's challenge at Papercraft Star.

Isn't it gorgeous! It makes want to take a nature hike and find a spot for a picnic!

I hope you will come play along with us this week. I'm sure the other designers will inspire you as well. You have until 6am Eastern time Monday to link up!

You could win some great digital images from our sponsor The House Across The Bay. Perhaps even the Inked Grunge ATC 148 that I used to make the focal point and leaves in my card ;)

I'm linking my card to the following...Passionately Artistc, Bloggers Challenge, Moxie Fab World, Fussy and Fancy, Stampin' For The Weekend, Stamping With The Dragon and PaperWorks Co.

Supplies:

Digital Image: Inked Grunge 148 from The House Across The Bay

Cardstock: Pure Poppy and Ripe Avocado from Papertrey Ink

Snug Hug Seam Binding ribbon in Log Brown

Stamp: Give Thanks from Stampin' Up! set Hand Penned

Punch: Scallop Trim from Stampin' Up! and leaf -maker unkown

Embossing Folder: Leaves from Paper Studio

Metallic Rub-on Paste found at Gina K Designs

Wicked Halloween

2011-10-08T15:45:00.000-05:00

I'd love to see the musical Wicked, The Untold Story Of The Witches Of Oz! When I saw this stampset from Close To My Heart I had to have it. And check out that fabulous ribbon! I found it at Really Reasonable Ribbon, it's called Black Webbing. It took a while to fussy cut the witch and part of the sentiment, but I love the way it turned out!

I'm linking this to the following sites... Really Reasonable Ribbon, Play Date Cafe, Tatertots and Jello, Fussy and Fancy, Passionately Artistic, Forever Night Challenges and Inspire Me Fridays.

Halloween Happy Birthday

2011-10-08T15:10:00.000-05:00

I think the question "How Many Fingers Are You?" is so funny! I used a couple of unusual things to make my Halloween Birthday card. I used a candle and burnt match sticks. Plus the dark and edgy stamp image named Linda from Stampotique. I stamped her on white cardstock, colored her then fussy cut her to layer on the purple cardstock. I think the Daniel Torrente &Jill Penney stamps are so creepy cool and want to add so many more to my collection! Stampotique carries another must have stamp Fabulous!

I'm entering the following challenges...Play Date Cafe, Stampotique Designers Challenge, Passionately Artistic, Delicious Doodles, Forever Night Challenges, Fussy and Fancy, Our Craft Lounge, Tatertots and Jello and Inspire Me Fridays.

Papercraft Star Challenge 65 Color

2011-10-05T06:00:00.003-05:00

I just fell in love with this vintage image from The House Across The Bay! The colors are perfect for the Papercraft Star Challenge 65. This one is a color challenge using purple, coral, red and sky blue.

Here's the photo inspiration for this weeks challenge.

I hope you will come play along in the challenge. You have until 6am eastern time on Monday to link up and win some digital downloads from our sponsor The House Across The Bay.

The other designers have created some lovely projects sure to inspire you too!

Supplies:

Digital image from The House Across The Bay Garden 117

Cardstock: Coral Cameo, Real Red, Lovely Lilac and Bashful Blue from Stampin' Up!

Damask embossing folder from Paper Studio

Rogue Liquid Pearls

Lace from stash and Snug Hug seam binding ribbon

Scalloped punch from Stampin" Up!

Give Thanks

2011-10-02T20:10:00.000-05:00

I'm so thrilled to see my card was highlighted on the Really Reasonable Ribbon blog and picked as the random winner! It certainly does make me Give Thanks! Whoo Hoo!

Papercraft Star Challenge 64 Lace

2011-09-28T06:00:00.002-05:00

Here's my card for Papercraft Star Challenge 64 Lace.

I repurposed the packaging from rub-ons by 7 Gypsies for my background paper. I distressed and added a handwritten love note on the digital postcard from The House Across The Bay. Threaded a skinny burgundy ribbon through that gorgeous lace to match my handmade wilted ribbon rose.

Here's a link to a video tutorial by Stamper Dog to learn how to make your own flowers.

Here's the inspiration picture for the challenge. Please come play along with us and show some Lace! You'll love what the rest of the Design Team has come up with!

The House Across The Bay has a wonderful array of digital images and papers and there will be a couple of winners that can pick from the Etsy shop!

Supplies:\

Digital Image from The House Across The Bay "Brown Sugar 057"

Papers: Brown Cardstock from Papertrey Ink and repurposed rub-on packaging from 7 Gypsies

Burgundy Ribbon, Lace and Pearls from my stash

Tools: Heat Gun, Xryon and Ink pen

Give Thanks

2011-09-25T19:07:00.000-05:00

Today I played with a couple of my newest craft supplies. I've been wanting the Spellbinders Labels Sixteen dies for quite some time now. I finally broke down and bought them online. I wish my one and only local craft store (Hobby Lobby) carried more things, although they have started to get a better selection. I really love my new stamp set too! It's called Hand Penned by Stampin' Up! I found this amazing wide ribbon, the damask pattern is a raised brown velvet. I tucked a rust colored organza ribbon under the wide damask ribbon. Next I layered a brown velvet ribbon over the top of it. I just love the warm rich feel of this card!

I'm linking this to CR84FN and Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Autumn Memories

2011-09-25T09:02:00.000-05:00

I am so happy Autumn is officially here! I love cooler weather and all the beautiful warm colors it brings! Soon the leaves will turn fabulous shades of red, orange and yellow!

For this card I started with Terracota Tile cardstock then layered it with a beautiful monochromatic orange designer paper. It is from Close To My Heart, it came in a kit called Felicity. Next I stamped a tree called Out On A Limb from Stampin' Up! It was so suttle that I decided to use brown embossing powder to make it pop. The sentiment Autumn Memories Remember This is the stamp set that "introduced me" to the fabulousness of Pink Paislee. I punched a bunch of leaves for the base of the tree. Then finised my card off with a pretty rust colored organza ribbon and bow.

I'm linking this card to CAS-ual Fridays, Just Some Lines, Crafts 4 Eternity and Crafty Catz.

There is still time to join the party over at Feline Playful.

This week Papercraft Star in conjunction with The House Across The Bay is sponsoring one winner a day at the Feline (Playful) Thankful blog party! Pop in there this week for a chance at some great prizes !! This is a great site for viewing all of the challenges each week, and their winners.

Papercraft Star Challenge 63

2011-09-21T06:00:00.002-05:00

This weeks challenge at Papercraft Star is to use a sketch by the super talented Kim of Paper Loves Glue! The poppy stamp came from Hero Arts. I just love poppies! I stamped the poppy twice on white cardstock then used several shades of Copic markers to color the images. Next I cut about a half inch into the strip on both sides to appear as if I cut out the flowers. I punched a couple of strips of Ripe Avocado cardstock to layer behind the poppies. This was then layered onto Terracotta Tile cardstock. I used a Marta Stewart punch with Fabric Circles 065 to make my little butterfly. I used a couple of Stampin' Up! stamps onto thee diary page from Blank Backgrounds, punched it out and popped it up. I finished my card by adding a punch of pearls along the scalloped edges.

You have until 6am Monday eastern time to link up to Papercraft Star using this sketch.

I hope to see you there! The design team has created some amazing projects to inspire you. Plus you could win some fabulous digital download from our sponsor The House Across The Bay!

Supplies:

Digital Images: Fabric Circles 065 and Blank Backgrounds 045 from The House Across The Bay

Stamps: Poppy from Hero Arts, Bliss and Four Frames from Stampin' Up!

Paper: Stampers Select White, Ripe Avocado and Terracotta Tile from Papertrey Ink

Misc: pearls and foam dimensionals

Black And White With A Hint Of Color

2011-09-18T09:19:00.002-05:00

I recently saw a photograph of a white Poppy and really wanted to try to stamp one. I stamped it on white cardstock, heat embossed it, and colored it with Copics. It is really hard to "color" something white. I think I will have to try to find a grey embossing powder to try it again sometime. For the background I used a new embossing folder from The Paper Studio I found at Hobby Lobby. I added a hint of color with the beads for the center of the flower and the olive green stem. I added some white ribbon and a bow.

Here's a close up of the poppy. You can get a better idea that I curled the leaves for a bit more definition. Plus you can really see the hint of color in the beads and the embossed background.

photo credit

Have you ever seen a white poppy before? I love the poppy flower and I am completely blown away by the beauty of this white poppy! It's absolutely stunning!

I'm linking my card to these sites: Stampotique Designers Challenge, Little Claire's, Inspire Me Fridays, Creatalicious Challenges, Make It Monday, Passionately Artistic and Tatertots and Jello.

Hello

2011-09-15T19:00:00.000-05:00

You won't believe just how much you can create with just one roll of decorative tape from Tapeswell!

And just how many packages you can ship with this pretty tape! I made this box, card and matching envelope with a couple of their newest tape patterns. The yellow flower pattern is called Retro Flower and the gray mesh is called Crosshatch. The hello stamp came from Stampin' Up!

Damask Wedding Programs

2011-09-15T18:46:00.000-05:00

I am so excited to show you a wedding program I made for Tapeswell!

The background is the Black Damask tape. The Name Plate came from e.m. papers. Eleanor the owner of e.m. papers was kind enough to allow me to use several of her DIY printable templates to make all sorts of wedding projects. There is no reason you can't have fabulous paper goods for your wedding without spending a ridiculous amount of money. Eleanor's wedding invitations and kits are cost effective, not just because they are printables, but because she considers ink usage in the design. They are also easy to produce, just enter your personal details in the fields, print and cut.

Here is the link to the post on Tapesell's blog. I seriously love both Tapeswell and e.m. papers!

If you look at my posts from July you will see some of the other wedding crafts I made using the Black Damask tape and e.m. papers DIY printables.

Papercraft Star Challenge 62 Anything Goes

2011-09-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

For Papercraft Star Challenge 62 Anything Goes I made a note card, coordinating gift bag and tag.

Brown is my favorite color. I just love the Brown Sugar digital designs from The House Across The Bay.

Here's a couple more note cards with more of the fabulous Brown Sugar digital designs.

To dress up the gift bag I lined the top of the bag with strips of Scor-Tape then scrunched the crepe paper and pressed into place. Easy Peasy! I used the Very Vintage jumbo wheel from Stampin' Up! in Close To Cocoa ink all over the bag.

Come play along this week at Papercraft Star, Anything Goes!

The rest of the Design Team has created some things sure to WOW you!

There will be a couple of winners that can pick some fabulous digital downloads from our generous sponsor The House Across The Bay !

Supplies:

Digital images from The House Across The Bay "Brown Sugar 057"

Brown Kraft Bag

Crepe Paper

Scor-Tape

Seam Binding Ribbon from Stampin' Up!

Kraft Cardstock

Close To Cocoa ink retired from Stampin' Up!

Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel from Stampin' Up!

Stamp "Just For You" from the Stampin' Up! Hostess set Afterthoughts

Recycled Magnet Bookmark

2011-09-12T20:29:00.000-05:00

Have you ever thought about repurposing those magnetic business cards that come in junk mail or on things like new phone books? Welp I love making them into new things. It's pretty easy to peel the layer of paper off of them. Then you can decorate them however you want.

I used black ink to stamp Linda, colored her with copics and various shades of watercolor crayons for the background. Next I framed her with washi paper tape.

For the other side of the bookmark I stamped Angel, colored her with copics, used watercolor crayons for the background and framed her with washi tape.

I stamped her wings again and layered them over the first set to add some depth. You can see the shadow in the picture above.

Above you can see a picture of them together on my refrigerator. If you leave a slight gap in between the magnets they can be wrapped with washi tape around the center. Make sure you add the paper to the correct sides of the magnets. That way when they are back to back they stick together. I love a magnetic bookmark! This way if I drop my book I don't have to worry so much about losing my page. Plus it does not stick out that much and my little one can not take it out for me ;)

I'm entering this in the Stampotique Designers Challenge, Cheerful Stamp Pad, Incy Wincy Designs, Squigglefly, ICopic Challenge, Make It Monday, Passionately Artistic and Tatertots And Jello.

Papercraft Star Challenge 61 Color

2011-09-07T06:00:00.001-05:00

This card was inspired by the Papercraft Star Challenge 61 to use the colors Aqua, Navy, Red and/or Neutral. I just loved the picture inspiration. It just said outdoor party to me. If you look closely you can see the waves in the paper on the lanterns.

I created the Japanese lanterns with Digital Fabric 2 Inch Circles from the Etsy shop The House Across The Bay. After punching out the circles I ran them through my crimper for the wave texture, then pushed the centers up for a slight dome shape. I glued a small piece of paper towel to the back of each one before adhering to the card front, so it could help retain it's dome shape. I used a piece Navy Baker's Twine for the lanterns to hang from. The sentiment "celebrate" came from Stampin' Up!

Here's the Picture Inspiration for the Papercraft Star Challenge 61 Color Please come over and play along in the challenge. The other designers have created some fabulous works of art too. I'd love to see your spin on this challenge.

Supplies
Digital Images from The House Across The Bay "Fabric Circles 065"
Paper: Stamper's Select White cardstock from papertrey InK
Ink: Night of Navy from Stampin" Up!
Stamp: Retired from Stampin' Up!
Miscellaneous: paper crimper, Liquid Glass and Navy Baker's Twine

I Got You Babe

2011-09-05T11:44:00.000-05:00

I made this card for the Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge 31 "I Got You Babe."

I can't help but think about the song by Sonny & Cher. Hence the music sheet as the background paper. The stamp is called Bringing Baby from Stampin' Up! I stamped it on white cardstock, colored it, cut it out and used Scor-tape to layer over the seam binding ribbon.

Snowflake Tutorial

2011-08-31T19:04:00.002-05:00

I recently was asked by Tammy of Midwest Craft Connection to do a guest posting tutorial for her website.

Needless to say I was completely honored! Thank you Tammy!

So here it is...

Today I'm going to show you how I make beaded snowflakes.

First start with silvertone 28 gauge wire and clear or silver beads.

I do not bother to measure the length of wire I use. I simply strand a ton onto the spool of wire. For each loop of beads on the snowflake it ranges from 3/4" to 1".

After I decide on the amount of beads I start to form a loop.

Then I twist the wire to my desired length.

The next length must be longer. Form another loop.

And twist the wire until you get back to the first one. Then you start the process over.

Alternate longer and shorter lengths. Now you can see the snowflake coming together.

Alright so now we have a snowflake. Trim the ends so that you have 2 lengths of longer wire left

In this picture you can see I stamped Peace onto navy cardstock. Position your snowflake where you want it. Then using a needle punch a couple of holes into the cardstock, very close to the center of the snowflake.

Now you can thread the extra length of wire through the cardstock to the back.

Tape the wire down flat into place.

Tadaa! You have the beginning of a snowflake card!

The next step is to adhere the card front to the cardstock. I softened the edges with some white craft ink.

The snowflakes are so pretty on their own. Love them on my Christmas tree every year!

I hope you will check out her site midwestcraftconnection.com!

I'm linking this to a few sites Tatertots & Jello, Passionately Artistic, Creative Card Crew, Party Time Tuesdays, Heart Song Inspirations, Make It Monday and Stamps R Us.

Papercraft Star Challenge 60

2011-08-31T06:00:00.005-05:00

I created this card a while back as my application for the Papercraft Star Design Team. It was a challenge for me since Steampunk is not my normal style. It's always fun for me to play with new forms of art and I really liked the way it turned out. And even more Thrilled they liked it too!!!

I started by taking black cardstock and spraying it with silver Glimmer Mist. Over that is a layer of gold shimmer paper that was aged with ink. The next layer was made by scanning a sheet of rub-ons from 7 Gypsies called "Time" and printing on cream cardstock. By doing that it allowed me to color the images and ink it all up. In various places I rubbed metallic paste added a bunch of vintage watch faces, a few random metal findings and a few square bronze brads.

I put Liquid Glass over elements like the watch faces, gears and hourglass for more definition. It is such a great medium to create "glass" or to use as glue.

Our generous sponsor The House Across The Bay has some FABULOUS digital designs and there is a special offer on Papercraft Star for Rilly's shop. You'll have to go check out all the other designers amazing projects!

Here's the Picture Inspiration for the Papercraft Star Challenge 60 Steampunk.

I hope you will come play along in this challenge!

Supplies

Paper: Gold Shimmer, True Black and Vintage Cream cardstock from Papertrey Ink

Ink: Vintage Touch Tea Dye Duo from Papertrey Ink, Brown Versa Color, metallic rub-on paste found at Gina K Designs

Copic Markers E33, E55, E57, E59

Miscellaneous: Vintage watch faces, random metal findings, brass square brads, Liquid Glass from Close To My Heart,

Rub-ons by 7Gypsies "Time" and silver Glimmer Mist

Cake Decorating Class

2011-08-25T20:25:00.000-05:00

Today I wrapped up the Wilton Course 2 Flowers Class. I'm so happy to know how to make those beautiful roses.

I made a ton of them out of Royal Icing. Not my favorite. I prefer the buttercream icing.

I was thrilled to learn how to make the Basket Weave pattern!

The next class is learning about fondant. I can hardly wait to take that one too!

I think I've perfected my cream cheese frosting. Lemme tell you it is fabulous!

It will make a ton of icing, enough to heavily frost a layered cake and decorate all pretty.

It takes 2 packages of cream cheese, 1 cup of butter ( I prefer Fleishmans Olive Oil Butter) 2 pounds powedered sugar and a splash of vanilla extract. Blend till smooth. Add a bit more powdered sugar to make stiffer if making flowers or other decorations. Seriuosly crazy good!!!

Papercraft Star News!!!

2011-08-24T20:51:00.000-05:00

Today I'm super excited to announce I am a new member of the Design Team for Papercraft Star!!!

I am joining the ranks of some FABULOUS and amazing crafters. Jan of Chai Tea N Me is our Administrator, Tracy of I Wanna Build A Memory is a Senior Designer and DT Coordinator, Regan of Emora Designs is a Senior Designer, Kim of Paper Loves Glue is a Senior Designer and Anitra of Stamping While They Sleep is also the newest Designer.

Whoo Hoo!!!

These ladies are always so kind and encouraging. They have truly made it a pleasure to play along in all the challenges at Papercraft Star! I know you will have fun too!

This week's challenge is Back To School. I hope you will come over and play along with us! :)

Next week you will see Anitra and I posting for the first time as Designers! So exciting!!!

For my project today I made a simple Smile card featuring a report card from The House Across The Bay. Rilly is the Etsy shop owner that generously sponsor's Papercraft Star. There are so many Fabulous digital designs in her shop.

Please stop by and show all the ladies some love!

Kindest regards,

Jennifer

You Color My World

2011-08-22T20:58:00.000-05:00

Parker and I were playing with watercolors the other day. I decided that I would cut his painting and emboss it so that I could make cards for his grandparents. I adhered them to plain cardstock from Papertrey Ink. It is the best heavy weight cardstock available! I think each card is so beautiful as is, it will be quite lovely with a simple sentiment too. Perhaps I'll punch a couple of scalloped circles and stamp

"for you" or something. I guess I'll decide once I'm ready to mail his art :)

Altered Book Page

2011-08-15T18:59:00.000-05:00

I am so excited about getting my first stamp from Stampotique that I had to immediately use it. Her name is Linda. There are so many creepy cool images that are made by the artists Daniel Torrente &Jill Penney. Parker LOVES Halloween! His love of Halloween makes me feel like a little kid again too! I used the stamp in my County Living Happy Halloween book, it's the first page before the table of contents. I think the scene is just perfect and that her hand looks like it is pushing the gate open. I'm entering this into the Stampotique Designer's Blog Challenge.

Words Of Wisdom

2011-08-14T08:23:00.001-05:00

Today's post is all about this little man, my son Parker. He turned 5 back in May and has just started kindergarten. My baby is getting so big!

Yesterday I decided to make a book of quotes from him. Some times the things he says is so funny, or completely out of the blue. It makes you wonder, Where did that come from?

As we were driving home from grocery shopping he said, "I think we are God's action heroes."

Wow! What a statement!

After he said that I thought I really need to write all these things down he says before I can't remember them. So this project I'm about to show will be a work in progress. I know he will say many more things over years to come that I will want to remember when I'm 80 and when he has children of his own.

About six months ago I was trying to rush him out of the house so I could get him to daycare before I went to work. He slowed me rushing him by asking "Mommy is God real?" I thought for a moment then responded "Well Parker sometimes there are things that are real that we can not always see. For example we know we need air to breathe, but we can not see it." Then after thinking about that for a moment he responded to me, "So is it God in the Easter Bunny costume then?"

Really how cute is that!!! It caught me so off guard, here I was trying to push him out the door and then he says something so random that I just want to stop the world from moving so I can hug and kiss on him!

So here is my little book, All about Parker.

I just love the metal F plate. I don't know where you can find them. I bought it recently at my local winery Beachaven. It's made by Ganz. Ganz is a company that mostly sells gift ware. It was meant to go on things like a candle holder or a bottle. I love it when I find something neat that I know I will use in my paper crafts instead of what it was originally designed for. I decided to use the twill measuring tape as the ribbon to tie the book closed. To me it was symbolizing growth. The patterned transparency embellishment is from a collection called Lucky Me by Little Yellow Bicycle. It's discreetly glued down with Liquid Glue from

Close To My Heart.

My favorite thing Parker still says is "It makes my heart happy."

Here's the back of the book. I'm not sure how it will end, but I think the last page will be a handwritten note.

A note to remind him just how much he is loved.

One of my favorite company's is Pink Paislee! I used their canvas 6x6 album to make Parker's book.

I used Mod Podge to glue the patterned paper to a piece of chipboard. I wanted this piece strong to be able to glue the twill behind it.

Ok so any suggestions on something to use for the action hero? :)

I'm linking this to Papercraft Star, Charisma Cards, AIFactory, Passionately Artistic, Tatertots and Jello, Joyful Stamper, Simply Create, Crazy Amigos, KB Challenges and One Stitch At A Time.

Poppy Love

2011-08-07T13:20:00.000-05:00

As soon as I saw this painting I had to take the class at Swirlzart. It's called Poppy Love.

For You

2011-08-07T11:42:00.000-05:00

On half the card I used the Damask embossing folder from Stampin' Up! I colored the raised design with a gray marker. The other side I colored yellow and stamped for you. I gathered and attached the ribbon on the card with Scor-tape. The yellow flower is a digital image from House Across the Bay called Spring Squares. I cut it out and covered it in Liquid Glass and popped it up with foam tape. My inspiration for this card came from Papercraft Star challenge 56.

Very Merry Tutorial

2011-07-31T09:53:00.004-05:00

Shimmer cardstock is so pretty. I especially love using white shimmer cardstock to make snow scenes. The snowflakes just glisten.

I repurposed a worn out pair of my son's khaki pants for the fabric of my tree. Start by getting the fabric wet, put in a container, add ink and work the color through it. You might want to wear rubber gloves so you don't stain your hands and nails. Let the fabric dry.

Once the fabric is dry rip it into about 1/4" strips.

Next take white shimmer cardstock and emboss with Snowflake folder. Place Scor-Tape in basic shape of tree. Don't worry about filling it all in with the tape.

Twist the strips and press down into the Scor-Tape following the basic tree shape.

If there are any pieces of the tree that are not glued down well enough I use Liquid Glass to adhere it to the card. I randomly placed dots of Liquid Glass all over the tree then coated it in glitter. I pressed the glitter down into the Liquid Glass, let it dry then shook off the excess.

Now both the card and tree glisten. To finish off the card I tore strips of paper to make "snow drifts" Next I added glue to the edges and more glitter, popped the "snow drifts" up with foam squares for them to lay nicely over the bottom of the tree. Last I added a bow and Very Merry tag.

I hope you will take a moment to let me know you stopped by. To quote my son "It makes my heart happy" to read your lovely comments and feedback. Plus I'd love to know if you tried this technique too.

Kindest regards,

Jennifer

For You

2011-07-30T18:19:00.000-05:00

I am loving this color combination of kraft, yellow, green and turquoise. The images are from a shop on Etsy called The House Across the Bay. Its part of a 2" square digital set called Spring Squares. I was inspired to create this card with a sketch from Mojo Monday. I first heard of House Across the Bay from the papercraft challenge blog Papercraft Star. I'm adding my card to The Weekend Wrap Up at Tatertots and Jello, Passionately Artistic, Sew Many Cards, Clear It Out, Simon Says Stamp and Show, Lollipop Crafts, Deep Ocean andCraft Us Crazy.

Tissue Box House Tutorial

2011-07-24T13:57:00.001-05:00

Today I thought I would do a tutorial on how to alter a chipboard house to make it hold a box of tissue.

I start with a plain chipboard house. I think most craft stores have them. I get mine at Hobby Lobby. It sells for about $4, unless I can catch it on sale.

First I take a box cutter and score the top of the chimney.

After I score the top I can start to remove the "square".

This is what it looks like after removing the "square".

Now It's time to cut a whole through the roof.

Now you can see through the chimney.

Now a small square box of tissue can fit inside.

Now it's ready to decorate.

It's a bit time coconsuming to make shingles, but I love the texture it gives the house. If you look at some of the other ones I have posted on my blog, you'll see some of them are painted, rectangular shingles or patterned paper. All of the houses that I've made I've sealed them with Mod Podge. It's gives them a nice sheen and strength to the shingles too.

I fill the windows with Liquid Glass which gives them a nice reflection. The window frames are created with square nesting dies, then just adding a small strip of paper for the criss cross. The front door is placed on a tiny hinge so you can open and close it. For this house I thought it would be fun to add the little white picket fence. The patterned papers and butterflies give it a touch of whimsy.

http://ferrellgraph-x.blogspot.com/2010/10/autumn-tissue-box-house.html

http://ferrellgraph-x.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween-tissue-house.html

http://ferrellgraph-x.blogspot.com/2009/11/christmas-gingerbread-house.html

http://ferrellgraph-x.blogspot.com/2009/03/i-had-so-much-fun-creating-this-chip.html

I hope you liked them and are inspired to make one too. If you check out the links you will see some more photographs of the houses. I'm still working on trying to take better pictures. :)

This is being linked to Cheery Lynn Designs, Embellish Magazine, Tatertots and Jello and
Passionately Artistic.

Hello

2011-07-22T20:39:00.000-05:00

The background of this card was made using a faux leather technique. You start by layering the entire card with masking tape, then use several shades of brown inks to age it. I recycled carefully recycled a aluminum can and used a diamond plate embossing folder to create this masculine look. I taped it down with the blue painters masking tape. Next I used alphabet dies to cut "hello" from a sheet of cork. Then I layered it onto some distressed some orange cardstock. The tool stamps came from Technique Tuesday.

This is being linked to the Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tatertots and Jello and to Passionately Artistic.

Love You

2011-07-22T20:21:00.002-05:00

It's fun to make round cards. Easier than it looks too! I used some of my favorite retired Stampin' Up! colors - coral cameo, close to cocoa and apricot appeal. I stamped the background paper with the SU! Very Vintage wheel in close to cocoa ink then used a round scalloped die to layer it on the round card base. Next I punched a strip of close to cocoa card stock and added liquid glass to the round area of the scallops. The strip of apricot appeal card stock was embossed in the petals a plenty folder, inked up and highlighted with liquid pearls. I used a die to cut "you" and the leaves on wild wasabi cardstock. I used a punch for the heart and added liquid glass to make it stand out. The roses were made with a die from My Favorite Things and placed in a frame from Stampin' Up! The winter white ribbon is from Zipperstop.

I'm linking this up to Tatertots and Jello and Passionately Artistic.

Make Summer Count

2011-07-22T19:50:00.001-05:00

For this summer beach inspired card I used a cork sheet for the sand. I love the texture it gave the card. The papers and lil' crab sticker came from Anna Griffin. The pin wheel is a die from Lil' Inker Designs. This is being linked to Papercraft Star challenge 54 using a fun party photo and beachy theme. Also to Craft Your Passion challenge to use text.

Botanical Butterflies

2011-07-16T17:53:00.000-05:00

Back in May Rhonna Farrer had a freebie for a Mother's Day on her blog. You'll have to look, they are beautiful! I used a couple of the elements today to create this card. For the background I used the Very Vintage jumbo wheel on kraft cardstock and crumb cake ink from Stampin' Up! I finally got the Bow Easy to make pretty double bows with seam binding ribbon. The entire card was sprayed with iridescent gold glimmer mist. I have yet to learn how to photograph that detail.

I'm linking this to The Kraft Journal Something Borrowed or Something Blue challenge. Also to Moxie Fab World for the Fanatical about Botanical challenge. Craft Your Passion Anything Goes Challenge.And to Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap Up.

Happiness Is Not A Destination

2011-07-10T18:46:00.002-05:00

Don't nautical cards just scream summer. The background wood grain stamp and compass stamps are from Papertrey Ink. The sentiment and explore stamp came from Close to My Heart. Here's the link for a tutorial on how to make the sailor's knot. The globe die was made by quickutz.

I'm entering this into Embellish Magazine nautical color trends challenge. Also to Totally Papercrafts, The Secret Crafter Saturday, Onestop Craft. Tatertots & Jello, Really Reasonable Ribbon and

Papertrey Paper Dolls.

Inspiration In Action Case Contest

2011-07-10T16:04:00.000-05:00

I made another card for the Inspiration In Action Case Contest from Gretchen Barron. I cased a card from the new Stampin' Up! catalog on page 12. I used a few of my retired favorite colors Close to Cocoa, Coral Cameo and Apricot Appeal. I think the retired stamp was from a set called Artisically Asian. I used the Petals A Plenty embossing folder and highlighted the centers with Buttercup Liquid Pearls. I also added Rogue Liquid pearls to the center of the roses. I just love the metal frame. I sprayed the entire card with Iridescent Gold shimmer mist. I think this has a sweet romantic feel.

I'm linking this to Passionately Artistic, Tatertots & Jello, Paper Issues, All Things Fee, Deep Ocean, Lollipop Crafts, Craft Your Passion, Stamp Insanity, Paper Take Weekly, Allsorts, Charisma Cardz, Crafts And Me, and Crafty Catz.

Inspiration In Action Case Contest

2011-07-09T14:25:00.002-05:00

This Boo card was inspired by a card featured in the new Stampin' Up! catalog on page 25. I used the same stamp from the House of Haunts and I made the pendant banner that says "boo". I changed the background color to purple and used the spider web impression folder to add some texture. Instead of using black ribbon I put in the row of tombstones. There are always so many wonderful creations in each idea book. I hope you like my card I made for the case contest by Gretchen Barron.

Here's her link. I'm posting this over at Tatertots & Jello and Passionately Artistic.
Thanks for looking :)

Matchbox Wedding Favors

2011-07-06T20:35:00.002-05:00

I just love the way Eileen of TapeSwell photographed the Black Damask wedding favors I made!

And don't you just love the matching tray! It started off as plain unfinished wood. I spray painted it white then added the Black Damask tape. Voila!

My monogram is a custom stamp from PSA Essentials called Antique Cipher. I have found the best price on them from Expressionary. I see 30% or 40% off offers all the time on their site. I used a die to cut the cardstock then decorated with the tape. Easy Peasy!

If you haven't figured it out by now I really do love TapeSwell!

Please check out their post today and leave a comment.

http://blog.tapeswell.com/2011/07/diy-damask-wedding-favors.html

It just makes my day when I read comments left by visitors! And I know they will love it too!

If you haven't already seen the other wedding crafts I made, please look back at posts in May and June.

Here's the before picture of the tray.

This is being linked to Passionately Artistic, Tatertots & Jello and Euro Style Cakes.

Happy 4th of July

2011-07-04T16:18:00.001-05:00

I made this card using the sketch from Mojo Monday. I've had the stamp for so long I have no idea who made it. I used Red Damask decorative tape from Tapeswell on white card stock for the background. The blue strip is actually blue painters tape. I hand cut the red and baby blue strips. Ans finished it off by using a punch from Stampin' Up! for the star.

I'm linking this to Tatertots and Jello!

Dandelion Fireworks

2011-07-04T08:37:00.000-05:00

Happy 4th of July!

I had to try this card again with with red and blue craft ink and clear embossing powder. I am so much happier with my second attempt of making dandelions into fireworks. I will still have to buy some red and blue embossing powder.

I'm linking this to The Kraft Journal Patriotic or Americana theme.

Happy 4th of July

2011-07-03T23:59:00.000-05:00

I found these fabulous vintage images over at Vintage Holiday Crafts.

Celebrate Freedom

2011-07-03T18:13:00.002-05:00

Happy 4th of July!

I've had this idea in my head ever since getting this dandelion stamp set from Gina K Designs called Many Wishes. I will definitely be trying it again using red and blue embossing powder too. I hate any weeds in my yard, but I have a hard time resisting to blow and make a wish on a dandelion.

Here's the Link that made me fall in love with this stamp set.

And here's the card that made me need a dandelion stamp set.

DIY Invitation and RSVP

2011-06-29T17:13:00.001-05:00

It's another Wedding Wednesday over on TapeSwell's Blog and Eileen has beautifully photographed the invitation and RSVP I made. Did you notice the clear glass vase I added the black damask tape to as well? These were really very quick and easy to make thanks to the DIY printable templates from Eleanor over at E.M. Papers. I hope you check out both places. You would not believe just how much you can create with one roll of decorative tape. And how many other fun DIY templates are available too.
I've linked these to Passionately Artistic, Euro Stylen Cakes, Petite Hermine, Making the World Cuter, The DIY Showoff, Home Stories A to Z, and Cherished Treasures.

Save The Date

2011-06-22T18:16:00.007-05:00

I am so tickled to see the Save The Date I made posted on the blog and Facebook for TapeSwell today! Here is the link for the blog post.... http://blog.tapeswell.com/2011/06/damask-save-date-card.html

and for Facebook.... http://www.facebook.com/TapeSwell

I have so much to learn about photography. Eileen has an incredible eye and sense for style. I can hardly wait to see how she photographs all the other wedding ensembles I made.

A huge Thank You must also go out to Eleanor from E. M. Papers to allow me to use her beautiful wedding templates. She designs printable DIY cards and paper goods that you can download and print on your home printer. E. M. Papers provides all kinds of printables like printable graduation cards, printable Father’s Day cards, printable wedding invitations and more. Here is the link for her website... http://www.empapers.com/

I started with a piece of white cardstock and layered it with Black Damask decorative tape. Then added a layer of green cardstock and punched the corners. Next I customized the Save The Date template, printed it, trimmed it to size, punched the corners and adhered to the card. Easy Peasy!

Notice the town of Jackson, California. I grew up there. It's referred to as the Heart Of The Motherload or as Gold Country. I certainly miss the fresh mountain air, big tall trees and clear water of the rivers!

I'm linking this to Paper Issues, Passionately Artistic, Euro Style Cakes, Petite Hermine, Making The World Cuter, The DIY Showoff, Home Stories A to Z and Cherished Treasures.

If you look back on my blog to May 3rd you will find the coordinating Black Damask Place Cards.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T17:55:00.001-05:00

Happy Father's Day!

I made this card with one of TapeSwell's newest patterns called Crosshatch. The base is kraft cardstock layered with navy and orange cardstock. I used the Stampin' Up! tag punches for the sentiment and tied it with baker's twine.

I've linked this to Papercraft Star, Passionately Artistic, Really Reasonable Ribbon and Sew Many Challenges.

Sentiment, TapeSwell, Adhesive and Ribbon/Twine = STAR.

Swirlz Art

2011-06-17T19:19:00.000-05:00

I had such a great time at Swirlz Art last night. I painted this Chardonnay picture. It was my first visit and I can hardly wait to take another class. I have painted plenty of walls and spray painted tons of things before, just not a "real picture". I am so tickled with my painting! The colors are just perfect for my kitchen. They have another class called Poppy Love that I'm hoping will make it back on their calendar in August. It will be perfect for my living room.

Nautical Birthday

2011-05-30T09:52:00.002-05:00

I saw this knot on a card made by mnfroggie on Splitcoaststampers. Here is the Link on Trina's blog for her tutorial on how to make the knot. The sticker in my card is from Karen Foster Designs. The map was simply torn out of a map book and inked up. The anchor, wheel and lifebouy were recycled from a miniature ship that had seen better days. Note: a little boy may promise not to break a decorative ship, but that doesn't mean it won't get beat up! lol

Here's another masculine card I made by layering a map on kraft cardstock, inking it up and adding more Karen Foster Design stickers. I think it looks like the stickers were always meant to be there.

I'm linking these to Aud Sentiments, Paper Pretties, Really Reasonable Ribbon, Ooh-La-La, Digi Doodles, Crafting For All Seasons, Joyful Stamper, Truly Scrumptious, Paper Crafting Journey, Creative Card Crew, Penny's Challenges, Crafty Hos', The Paper Shelter, and Trimmies Craft Challenge.

Locks Of Love

2011-05-14T05:31:00.000-05:00

I just cut 13 inches of my hair off to donate to Locks Of Love. The last time I donated my hair was in December 2009 and I donated 16 inches. I knew my hair grew fast I just did not realize how fast until this time! This was the 3rd time I've been able to do so. Locks of Love's Mission Statement is to return a sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need.

Here is their contact information....

Locks of Love

234 Southern Blvd

West Palm Beach, FL 33405

561-833-7332

561-833-7962 (fax)

http://locksoflove.org/index.html

Donation Form: http://locksoflove.org/HairDonationForm.pdf

Happy Pirate Mother's Day

2011-05-08T18:21:00.000-05:00

My "Pirate Happy Mother's Day" couldn't be any more perfect!

Mother's Day Cake

2011-05-08T07:26:00.000-05:00

Happy Mother's Day!

Yesterday my husband Chad took our son Parker to the store. Parker decided for Mother's Day that he wanted to help mommy make a cake. So he picked out a confetti cake and confetti frosting. We baked it together last night. He really just wanted to eat all the confetti! ;) After the cake cooled I frosted it. I have been wanting to decorate another cake since I took that Wilton cake decorating class last month. I still need to work on my handwriting and flowers. I am pretty tickled with the out come though, after all this is only the second cake I've ever decorated with flowers and writing. I'm still pretty amazed that frosting can be totally smooth. I am looking forward to taking the fondant class and flowers. I'd love to learn how to make those beautiful roses and basket weave pattern. I guess you can tell I'm not a pink kinda girl. Considering the colors I've picked for the flowers.

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-05T19:29:00.003-05:00

Happy Mother's Day!

I think the cameo on my Mother's Day card is so pretty. I used kraft cardstock layered with a piece of patterned paper from Pink Paislee. The sentiment came from Stampin' Up!

I'm linking this to The Kraft Journal, Make It Monday, Sparkles Forum Challenges, Craft Your Passion, Tuesday Throwdown, Pollycraft Challenge, Party Time Tuesdays, Creative Card Crew, The Sisterhood Of Crafters and Passionately Artistic.

DIY Wedding Crafts

2011-05-03T20:28:00.000-05:00

On TapeSwell's blog today you can see this picture of the Damask DIY wedding place cards I made.

Hehehe! So tickled :)

Check out the blog.... http://blog.tapeswell.com/

I made several wedding ensembles that will be posted over the few weeks. I can hardly wait to follow along and see everything posted!!!

I just love TapeSwell! You really won't believe how many fabulous projects you can make with just one roll.

Some of the credit must to go to Eleanor at E.M. Papers. She makes printable DIY cards and paper goods. I added TapeSwell to some of her fabulous wedding sets that will be posted soon.

Right now she has a giveaway on her blog... http://www.empapers.com/may-giveaway-help-choose-the-next-empapers-designs

You Mean The Whirl To Me

2011-05-01T18:21:00.002-05:00

I just had to have this pin wheel die and stamp set as soon as I saw it. It's from Lil' Inker Designs.

I think it is so fun, The paper is from Stampin' Up! This card was inspired by the photo for

Papercraft Star challenge 43

and Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger.

With Gratitude

2011-05-01T16:18:00.003-05:00

I used a new stamp set I won in a blog candy giveaway from Niki Estes. The set is from Waltzingmouse Stamps called Very Vintage Labels No 18. The with gratitude stamp came from Stampin' Up!

The base is kraft card stock layered with a pretty sheer ribbon with gold embossing. I added another piece on white cardstock. The bow is made from cream seam binding ribbon. I stamped the label with white craft ink, then heat embossed on white cardstock. I sponged creme brulee ink over it to make it pop.

The creme brulee ink reminds me of the beautiful yellows that are found in daffodils. My daffodils have already come and gone for this year. Weren't they pretty!

This is being linked to several challenges... CR84FN, Just Us Girls, Really Reasonable Ribbon, The Kraft Journal, Simon Says Stamp, Sugar Creek Hollow, Passionately Artistic, Sparkles Forum Challenges, Party TimeTuesdays, Crafts4Eternity, Scrappekammeret, Papercutz, Digi Doodle Shops Best, Joyful Stamper and Moving Along With The Times.

Thank you Niki!

2011-04-27T19:28:00.000-05:00

I am tickled Pink! I was reading my email updates from My Paper Creations by Niki Estes and saw that I it had my name as a blog candy winner! She has done a bunch of things in the paper crafting industry. I first saw her work with Papertrey Ink a couple of years ago and have been following her ever since. Check out her blog http://nikiestes.typepad.com/my_paper_creations/

and her etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop/appleblossompaperie

Thanks again Niki!

Cake decorating class

2011-04-26T20:34:00.000-05:00

I had been wanting to take a cake decorating class for years. And I finally took one! I can hardly wait to learn more. This cake was only my second class. I definitely need to work on my handwriting, but am pretty tickled with the outcome. Actually I was pretty thrilled to learn how to make the icing totally smooth. All my cakes normally looked like a lemon meringue pie. I look forward to learning how to make a basket weave pattern and pretty roses. I was not expecting to have to learn how to make frosting. I'm a big fan of Betty Crocker ;) Next time I'll take a picture with a camera and not my cell phone.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T09:28:00.000-05:00

I have to share a story with you today. First let me tell you my son is 4. Last Thursday I was trying to rush Parker out the door. I told him he needed to hurry up because we needed to get to daycare and that he needed to help his friends get ready for his Easter party on Friday. He asked me "Mommy is the Easter Bunny real?" I paused a moment then answered "Well Parker some people do not believe things are real unless they can see them. And we know that we need air to breathe, but we can not see it." Then asked Parker "Do you know what Easter is all about?" He didn't answer so I told him Easter was all about Jesus. That he died for us, that Easter is the day he came back to life. Parker thought for a moment then asked me "Mommy is God in the Easter Bunny costume then?" I could not help but to just kiss him and tell him how much I love him!

On another note you can see some more Easter crafts I made for Tapeswell. I'd love for you to check out their blog and share your comments!

Happy Easter!

Happy Birthday Tapeswell

2011-04-20T18:59:00.000-05:00

Last week Tapeswell celebrated their 2nd birthday!

Happy Birthday Tapeswell!!!

I'm so tickled to see the card I made on their blog...check out the link....

http://blog.tapeswell.com/2011/04/happy-birthday-tapeswell.html

For you

2011-04-03T15:44:00.001-05:00

Today I went to one of my favorite stores, Lowe's. I saw some beautiful blue and pink hydrangeas. I really really want a white one with a hint of chartreuse. No such luck today. This image is from the The Graphics Fairy. I colored the flowers with a chartreuse marker then covered them in liquid glass. I used a Sukura gel pen to write for you.

I'm linking this to CR84FN, Really Reasonable Ribbon and The Kraft Journal.

Pink Paisley Baby Card

2011-04-03T08:30:00.000-05:00

I made this pink paisley baby card for my friend's grandchild. Ugh! I really am not old enough to be saying that. We lived across the street from one another for a good ten years. So I watched her kids grow up. The funny thing is that we are closer now than what we were when we lived across the street from one another.

I used a Sizzix impression plate from Stampin' Up! to get the subtle paisley embossing. The Pink Paisley decorative tape is from Tapeswell. The punch is from EK Sucess. And did you notice that the baby feet I made also have a paisley pattern to them? It's been a long time since I've done any paper quill crafts. I just love seam binding ribbon.

I'm linking this to Really Reasonable Ribbon, Tellen's Place, Anything Goes, Shelly's Images, Pals Paper Arts and Fairy Knoll.

E M Papers

2011-03-24T04:45:00.000-05:00

I found a fun printable DIY card company, E M Papers. They are doing a March Wedding Giveaway - Invite and RSVP. Here's the link to it on their blog. They are a one-stop for shop for printable paper goods of all kinds including printable greeting cards, printable wedding invitations, calendars and gifts. Easy to use, download and print goods are instant, unique and reusable.

You Are My Hero

2011-03-19T08:40:00.001-05:00

I really like making masculine cards with Papertrey Ink's woodgrain impression plate. The stamp set is Father Knows Best.

Note: Do not sand grey paper then swipe with a white craft ink pad. Not cool. I'm not sure if the grey is gonna come out of my craft pad. Now it's a softer white. lol

I'm linking this card to Papertrey Ink, Embellish Magazine, Really Reasonable Ribbon, Paper Issues and to Cuttlebug Challenges.

Hehehe

2011-03-16T18:51:00.000-05:00

I'm super excited about a couple of emails I received!!!

The first one was from Beth Moore and then from Babette Switzer they told me I was the lucky random winner over at The Kraft Journal!

And to top it off I see a comment from Bonnie at Really Reasonable Ribbon, "Congratulations Jennifer! Your beautiful card made the Top 3 over at challenge #19 on the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog. Come on over and pick up your 'Top 3' badge. :) "

Hehehe lucky me ;)