Sunday, May 31, 2009

Quick & No Sew

My "list" is long today so I need to be quick with everything I want to get done. Included on that list are 3 Thank You cards....here's what I came up with considering my time crunch:
The base of the card is a pale yellow....it's a little hard to see in this early morning light. The patterned paper is from Tinkering Ink. The stamped sentiment is from Stampin' Up as is the notebook edge punch. The butterfly is from Martha Stewart's famous punch. Here's a close up:
I decided to keep things really, really simple so I added some jewels and kept the sewing machine covered. Wouldn't a white straight stitch look cute?

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Natural Beauty

I tip-toed over to my neighbor's side yard today and clipped these beauties....they have 3 gorgeous bushes bursting with these blooms and they are so underappreciated.....I was just doing them a favor, right? I look at them every time I go into my backyard and I just couldn't resist. I can't wait to have blooms of these for my very own.

My hubby, and my girls bought me two bushes for Mother's Day. I've always admired the beauty of hydrangeas.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

'Round your Wrist

A few weekends ago we went to an outside arts market and I found this brown beauty, it's called a "Wristlet" purse:
This lady's booth had lots of yummy creations made from fabric and I immediately fell in love with this one. It was actually something she had in her "oops" pile because there were a few minor things wrong with it, so she said. Anyways, I thought for $2 it was a great deal. I loved it, I could use it (for its intended purpose) AND I could possibly use it to make a pattern to make a few more for myself and for friends!!
Yesterday [and today] I worked, I cut, I sewed, and I came up with this lovely creation!! I had a plentiful supply of this fabric in my stash, so I thought it would be a good one to start out with. This is the front shot, and as you can see, I added a fabric flower embellishment.
Here's a shot of the inside:
I must admit, this was definitely not a beginner's project - and I AM a beginner! I had to use my trusty husband and my Mom to figure out the whole inside liner design as well as the handy-dandy little pocket on the front. That booger is the hardest thing of all to do....
I made a tutorial (for my own recollection) and may post it in a few days if you are interested just leave a comment and let me know! I can't wait to make a few more.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Distressed Fun

See this sweet chick? Well, I found her, along with some other neat pieces on a die cut sheet at my LSS. It's from the Kraft Kuts line by Fancy Pants. There were a total of 16 die cuts on one 12x12 sheet for less than $3.00.
I also bought a sheet of Basic Grey patterned cardstock that I thought matched nicely. (It's in the background.)

So, last night, after the girls were ready for bed, I put together this quick card. You can't see, but I raised the chick using SU's dimensionals. I'm anxious to play around with some of the other pieces.

Sources: Patterned Paper - Multi: Basic Grey, Yellow: U/K; Die Cut: Fancy Pants; Rub-On: Making Memories; B&W Circle Element: KI Memories; Other Supplies: Personal Stash

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Inverted Scallops

I put this card together a few days ago and I just found a few minutes to upload a photo to share with you. I wasn't too sure about these inverted scallops when I first saw them, but I really, really like them now. I've seen them used in several places and decided to get a set of my very own....what do you think? Are you a fan?
This card was put together using my "mix it up" technique. I love pulling colors and patterns together and finding mixes that compliment each other. And, once again, I used some stitching, both with a machine and some by hand. Stitching is definitely my latest "love" element in papercrafting.

Now, I'm off to work on a few things....have a good day!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

New Addition

I added a bench seat to my craft room today. I've had my mind on some alternative organization ideas for this room because several pieces I have just "aren't working" any longer. I can't stand to have a piece of furniture taking up space [valuable square footage in a craft room] if it's not serving a good purpose. So, last night I thought about having a storage shelf of some kind installed under this large window. But, as I was walking out, I remembered this bench which was in my dining room.
With a few wipes of a dust cloth and some handy-dandy baskets (on the bench seat) that I purchased for a whopping 25/cents each at, you guessed it, another garage sale, now I have some new storage at just the right size for my space. You can't get any better than that! And, I saved my husband from yet another building project. Here's another shot:
I am storing new supplies and birthday party supplies in the upper baskets and my photo lights in the bottom middle basket.

I'm always about rearranging and making your space work for you! Even if you are organized, sometimes putting things in a new space makes better use of the space and everyone's happy!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Rainy Day Quick

I have a package to send to a friend, so I thought I would whip up a quick card to send along with it. My first attempt didn't work out. It amazes me sometimes how I begin with an idea and my finished product ends up looking nothing like what I set out to do...but I guess that's the fun of it also.
I really enjoy the process of adding stitching to my pages and cards. I'm also loving the "flag" embellishment lately. Did you notice the clear heart attached to the center flower? Love those also!

Can you see the rain drops on the window? We are on rainy day number 4 here in "sunny" Florida!

Sources: Scalloped squares - Nestabilities; Stamped sentiment - Hero Arts; Polka Dot paper - American Crafts; Green patterned paper - Heidi Grace; Clear Heart - Heidi Swapp

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

23 for 2

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a total garage sale junkie! I just love the hunt and finding the treasures for mere pennies, compared to the retail giants! Here's a great example:
Last Saturday, we went to a neighborhood community sale. One of the houses had several "crafty" items for sale, including these [and more] spools of thread. She had a huge box full, all organized and sorted by color. My first instinct was to get them ALL so I asked the price. "$8.00" she replied. I immediately countered with, "Will you take $5.00?" She said it was a little too early or else she would.

After browsing around for a few minutes, the woman asked, "Are you not interested in the thread?" And I told her although it was a good deal, it was really WAY more than I would ever use, and honestly, I didn't want to have to store it. So, she offered to let me pick through the bags, selecting what I wanted for only 10/cents each.

I asked my husband to help "pick out the pretty colors" and we came away with 23 spools for $2.00!!!

I went to WM yesterday to see one spool on their clearance rack priced at $2.50 - I smiled remembering my bargain!

Soon to be Featured


Hey Guys! Be sure to check our Laurie's fabulous "Tip Junkie" site here to see yours truly with a featured segment tomorrow. I'm so excited. Laurie is picking up my pencil holder tutorial and sharing it with the world! Yeehaw!

Her site is an amazing one if you haven't checked it out already. She has lots of tips and links to take you to some amazing crafty sites as well as recipes and more. Her pictures are awesome and very inspiring! Be sure to take a minute to check it out!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Saturday Night Shrimp

Yesterday, I was visiting a few of my "blog friends" and I came across this recipe....I thought it looked pretty yummy, so tonight we made it. Let me tell you....it was FABULOUS!
Although my picture is not as pretty as the one on "Little Birdie Secrets" - I was in too much of hurry to eat....this recipe has now earned a spot under our "favorite recipes" section. We felt like we were definitely eating high-style with the yummy, creamy homemade parmesan/garlic sauce. If you like shrimp, I would encourage you to try it out...you won't be sorry!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Pocket Envelope & Invitation

One of the girls on our PFA Board asked me to help her come up with a pocket envelope and card for some baby shower invitations she wants to make. This is what I came up with using her color scheme of blue and brown (must be a baby boy on the way):
Can you tell that I haven't glued it together yet? I wanted to be able to show her how to score it, fold it and where to apply the adhesive. I also tried to keep things simple, without using too many "fancy" techniques. But I could have easily applied some stitching, or embossing or rub-ons, the possibilities are endless. Here's a close-up:
For the inside card or invitation, I used my new embossing template from Stampin' Up to create the raised polka-dots. It would be easy to run your cardstock through the printer to print your party information and then emboss the dots afterwards. I love the little touch it adds.
I hope I didn't make it too difficult for her to re-create, I have a hard time keeping things simple. :)
Sources: Paper: DCWV, Ribbon: American Crafts, Star Die & Embossed Dot Template: Stampin' Up

New Tool: T-Square Ruler

Have you tried using a T-Square ruler? I saw one being used in a video and the concept looked really simple...what a great way to make straight lines, either by drawing or, like I did today, by using my bone folder, to make scored lines. Seeing the video made me think, "Why didn't I think of that?"
The technique is really easy, just line up the ruler along a straight edge and then use your pencil, or in my case, a bone folder, and run it along the ruler using your guided pencil mark. (The lighter blue card on the left is the template I was using to make a pocket envelope for a Baby Shower invitation.)
My pencil is pointing to the place where I need to have a scored line to fold the envelope over.
I have a Scor-Pal, but for small projects this new ruler works great. And, best of all, it was a great price, only $2.79 at Michael's. Try one out!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Polka Dot Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday Ellen!



My mother-in-law will be celebrating her birthday tomorrow and I wrapped her present in this really cute polka-dot paper...once I wrapped it I was immediately inspired to make a matching card.
The solid textured paper is from DCWV and the patterned paper is from Basic Grey. I love the Quick-Kutz circle nesting dies which I used to make all of these circle cut-outs. They are so easy to use! The stamped image is from the dollar bin at Michael's.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Quick & Simple

O.K. So I had a lot going on today with school, birthday parties - two tomorrow and Mother's Day for my own, dear Mom....so I decided to go really easy on a quick birthday card for my daughter's schoolmate. Sometimes, you just have to bring it down to a simple level. Here's the card I made using my largest square Nestabilities die:
I saw the technique for making these folded scalloped cards using your Nestabilities die on You Tube and that's what I did. Then I went to my birthday sticker stash (stickers can be a huge time saver) and found this glittery girlie cake. I applied the polka-dot ribbon using double-side tape and attached a button with thread. Then, all I had to do was die cut the oval and stick on the sticker. We also added a birthday sentiment to the inside.
It's simple and it carries the message we wanted to deliver: Happy Birthday!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Crazy for Containers

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm crazy for organizing and, with that, comes a crazy love for containers too....I can't help it! I just look at a pretty container and think of all the possibilities.

Yesterday, I decided to pop into my local Salvation Army store (Wednesday is 50% off day) and I found these lovely babes: Here's another shot so you can see the size:

I got all three for $1.50!! I can't wait to see what I do with them! Do you have any ideas?

Cupcake Notebook

Remember when I made this? Well, my youngest is invited to a birthday party this Saturday and because I'm addicted to these little books I had to make another one.
And the best part is, I'm using more of my $5.00/bag o' fabric I bought a few weeks back at a neighborhood sale. The lady having the sale told me stuff a grocery bag as full as I could for $5.00 and you can believe that now I'm set with lots of bright patterns and polka-dots.
I added to the cupcake top by using a few beads from my stash. I think they give it a cute touch.
The letters were cut using templates from my Cuttin' Up Cricut cartridge.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Scrappy Teacher's Card

Remember this post? Well, here's the card I made using those scraps. This one didn't come together too quickly for me, I think I was in the middle of a "creative headache" so, what I did, was put it down and came back to it the morning after. Sometimes, for me, that's the best thing.
In the end it ended up being really simple. I added a green scalloped edge from my favorite Stampin' Up punch, a couple of green buttons and a flower embellishment that matched perfectly. I also grabbed my Sizzix Sizzlet leaf die and placed them beneath the flower. I love the frilly white trim at the top. That spool came from a garage sale for cheap!! The stamped sentiment is from Stampin' Up too.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Celebrating our Teachers

The celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week is in full swing this week at my girls' elementary school. To begin the week, we had a small breakfast set up in the teacher's lounge. Here's a shot of my contribution: Funky Monkey Banana Bread (in front) and Amish Friendship Bread (in the back). Both were extremely well received and gobbled up quickly. I wish I had brought two trays instead of one.
Next up is a card using the scraps from the pencil holder I made last week. Remember this post? Well, here's the card I came up with:
I love my new Sizzix Stars #2 die which is where these stars came from. The patterned papers are from DCWV (apples) and American Crafts (stripes).

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Post-Card Style Invitation

I made a few invitations yesterday for some new ladies joining our PFA group. I wanted to keep things really simple since there were 9 to make, but my first attempt didn't work, and after a bit of struggling to come up with another concept, using what I had, this is the final product.
I made the design a post-card style invitation using kraft cardstock and a some extra patterned papers I had on hand. (The invitation information is actually inside the little purple card attached to the larger card front.)

I found out I didn't have a "You're Invited" stamp so I went with the "Little Somethin" design from Stampin' Up. I also used my new "Little Leaves" sizzlit from Stampin' Up.

Another thing I tried, but for some reason it didn't want to cooperate, was a zig zag stitch on my sewing machine. I thought it would add a nice detail to the bottom kraft strip. But, sometimes you just "gotta go with the flow." Also, I find that sometimes with me, the simple things don't work well....I'm a detail person and I can't help it.