Christmas Fun

Happy Birthday to "Me"
Happy Birthday to "Me".....LOL
Yes, today is  my birthday...
and I am doing whatever I want....
which is "nothing"...hah!!

Here is my post on the Classy Cards 'n Such blog today....
thanks for the nice comments!!

Hello Classy Friends,

It is time again for our fun weekly challenge....

This week our challenge theme is "Polka Dot Christmas"

Make a Christmas card with the colors shown in our inspiration photo and dots!!

I went with a rather clean and simple choice for my card....

I really wanted to show off my "stenciled" polka dot tree!!!

Beverly has lots and lots of stencils to choose from in the store

and I used Memory Box Texture Mini Dots 

I inked up my craft mat with Tim Holtz Barn Red Distress ink

then added a small scoop of Dreamweaver embossing paste and mixed 

it together with my Palette Knife.

You don't want to use too much, as once you have "inked" it, 

it cannot go back in the jar!!

I used a Paste Spreader to apply my paste on Banana Split Pop Tone paper...

I set it aside to dry, (which it dries pretty fast)

I added my background paper from BoBunny Candy Cane Lane 6 x 6 paper pad.

I cut my window from PoppyStamps Small Madison Window.....

There is a tiny "snippet" of lace added for a valance.

Once my stencil was dry I cut Impression Obsession Fir Trees from my paper.

It resembles designer paper, however, what is unique about stenciling it,

is gives a raised dot background, giving it dimension!!

If you were looking through this window into my home,

you would see a few pets, 

so I added a small kitty from Impression Obsession Baby Kittens

and a puppy from Impression Obsession Puppy Set

I added two smaller trees to the inside of the card it finish it off!

We are inviting YOU to join in our weekly challenges, 

and would love to see YOUR creations....

Won't you join us?

Entering the following challenges:
Pile It On .... 2 or more Die Cuts
and
A Gem of A Challenge ....Create A Scene
and
Send a Smile 4 Kids ....Early Holiday Wishes  4 Kids
and
We Do Doobadoo .... Christmas

Colors of Fall

Happy Sunday Fall Morning!!!

I have been up since the crack of dawn and decided not to waste any time

so came up with this fall card for the challenge at "City Crafter"

which is to use the inspiration photo and the theme is "Leaves"

I went with a more simple design, and I think a bit of elegance!

Last fall my friend "Dar" gave me a bunch of packets of  5x7 AC cardstocks.

I used a piece of the brown textured from the "neutrals" pack....

My little strip of patterned paper is Bo Bunny Trail Mix

I purchased some new Prima leaf dies, and I am the kind of person

that when I get my new dies, I have to cut "samples" right away

and that is where these two leaves came from!! 

A bow from a scrap and a couple of stick pins were added...

I finished off with a few sequins that I found at Tuesday Mornings!!

I had the best day yesterday!!

Six of us went to an Amish home where the owner (Lydia) cooked us

an Amish tea...OMGoodness, what a wonderful time we all had!!

I wanted to share with you the picture of the menu she made (and served)

I think I put 20#'s on!!!!

She let us tour her home and even take all the photos we wanted....

She is true Amish and explained the ways of the Amish life to us...

it was the best learning experience.....

and after several questions were asked she reminded us 

"remember, we are just people, too"

that kind of stuck with me!!!

I was a fun, fun day spent not ony in her company, but with good friends...

One of the cutest things she had outside was an old corn crib

turned into a gazebo...she said her brother thought she was nuts

when she had him move it there, but I have to say "I WANT ONE"!!!

It was so unique and she had a grill and patio table and chairs inside and it was screened!

I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed my day yesterday!!!

Entering the following challenges:
AAA Cards .... Autumn Colors 

and

Great Impressions .... Autumnal Elegance

All Sorts .... Cream and Brown

~~~~~~~~~~Hope~~~~~~~~~~~

Morning Friends!!

As you all know October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month....

I am sure you all have had a family member or friend that has experienced

breast cancer in their lives!!

All we can do is pray and "HOPE" for  a cure for this in our lifetime....

And try to encourage our friends and family to be aware and take the steps

to get their yearly check ups!!

In honor of "Breast Cancer" awareness month, 

Lisa is our hostess at "The Sisterhood of Crafters"

and has asked us to "THINK PINK" for our challenge!!

I made a very basic card that really says it all "HOPE"

I used a Sizzix EB folder and added my pink ribbon....

simple

now if only the cure could be that simple!!

We, at "The Sisterhood" encourages you to get your yearly check up!!

Head on over to "The Sisterhood" and see what my "Sistah's" have for you....

Join in our challenge and let us see your "think pink" cards!!

Entering in the following Challenges:
Karleigh Sue Challenge .... Pink Ribbon
and
The Crafting Cafe ....Think Pink

"HOPE" is a Word

This is my post for the Classy Cards 'n Such Challenge

this week using the inspiration photo below and to

"Think Pink"....

I would love for you to join in with us!!

Hello Classy Friends

The month of October is "Breast Cancer Awareness" month....

I am sure you all have been touched by breast cancer in your life

either by a friend or family member or both...

I know I have, and now is the time to remind your family and friends

to have an exam and/or a mammogram...

I just had mine 2 weeks ago!

We thought it would be fitting and a gentle reminder if we had

our first challenge of the month to be "Think Pink".

I made a rather large card 5 1/2" x 7 1/2".....

I started with the base of my card using the yummy 

"Stardream Rose Quartz" metallic paper.

I cut the gorgeous Anna Griffin Flower Bramble die for my next layer!!

This is such a beautiful die with so much embossed detail!!

The sentiment is from JustRite Hope and Love Vintage Labels Eight and Nine

I stamped it first, then hand cut it, popped it up with Joy! Foam Pads Large.

I stamped it one more time on my Stardream Rose Quartz Metallic paper,

then hand cut that out and also using Joy! Foam Pads, I popped it up....

But wait, I stamped it a third time and cut out the small "hope" and popped it up as well!!

I wish you could see how "3D" it really is!!!

I edged the sentiment with "Pink Taffeta" Stickles and added "Pink Pearls"

To finish my card, I cut three butterflies using Fantasy Butterflies from Joy! Crafts.

I invite "YOU" to join in our challenge this week...

We would love to see "YOUR" projects!!

Entering int he following challenges:
Fussy and Fancy .... Lots of Pink
Dragonfly Dreams .... Mainly Pink

Crafty Secrets October Linky Party

If you are looking for my "The Shabby Tea Room" post
go HERE.

Well, here we are into October already....

October is my favorite fall month...

maybe because it is also my birthday month..Hah!

 The leaves just start turning here in Michigan in October

and the air is so crisp and clean...

well it should be clean, as in the last 2 days we have had over 3" of rain....

The first Monday in October also brings us to the

"Crafty Secrets October linky party"

The entire design team gets together on this Monday with fabulous

projects and tutorials......
Our theme this month is Thanksgiving, Cooking, Recipes

want to be inspired??

Go HERE and take a look at all the wonderful creations!!

Here is a direct link to all my wonderful creative teamies!!
Kathy Clement Team Leader
Darlene Pavlick
Diane Hover (that's me)
Elizabeth Lincoln
Gloria Stengel
Melody Clement
Michele Kovak
Shantaie Fowler
Sheila Rumney
and our lovely 
Guest Designer Lee Ann Barrett

Would you like to join our linky party?

Just create a project using any Crafty Secrets product

 (we have FREE images you can use)

enter in our linky party and you could win a $40 gift certificate to the online store

you heard me right...WOW...wouldn't that be fun to win.....

the winner is selected random and all other entrants receive the new
Retro Kitchen Digital Kit!!

My project for our linky party is a hostess mini album!

I thought, wouldn't it be fun to take to a Thanksgiving dinner and present to the hostess!

 

       

I started with a pumpkin chipboard mini album

(I have a ton of these in my stash of various designs..

almost kind of embarrassing of how many)

I printed my beautiful papers from Creating With Vintage Illustrations CD #2......

this CD is FULL and I mean FULL of wonderful images/papers to use....

I then traced my pumpkin onto each paper, 

cut them out and adhered each with Modge Podge

Here are a few tips I "found" along the way on the making of

my mini album:

Don't talk on the phone to your hubby while applying your Modge Podge

Don't pet the dog while applying your Modge Podge

Don't forget to wash the Modge Podge from your brush when done.

Don't sand your album pages while wearing a navy blue sweatshirt

Don't have vacuumed your creative room in the AM and sand your album in the PM

Just thought I would mention these things, NOT that I would do them mind you!!

After the papers were completly dry, 

I sanded each page and then sponged ink around all the edges...

this gives a nice finished look and covers up the edge of the chipboard!!

Then I printed a few of "MY" favorite fall recipes and added to the album

and decorating with Crafty Secrets images from:

Seasonal Images & Journal Notes

Thanksgiving Collection

Fall Printable Sheet

I loved the page with the "Look Who's Coming To Dinner"

as I added a "pocket" with a tag thinking the hostess

could add her "guest list" to the tag for a nice memory!

This is the back page of the album and I just left it blank!

Once I was done I put the ring back on the album and added ribbon scraps to finish....

I have to admit, I love this little album so much I don't want to give it away...

Maybe I will "give" it to myself...LOL....

Crafty Secrets is going TOTALLY digital and having a HUGE sale on all

products in the warehouse.....

Sandy has put together "bundles" of over $70 of products for only $24.90 (includes shipping)

These are fabulous....you might want to "gather" some up before they are gone!!

Entering the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create .... Anything Goes
and
Anything But A Card ....Autumn Magic/Spring Wonder
and 
Open Minded Crafting .... Fall/Autumn
and
Brown Sugar .... Fall/ Autumn

Show Your Shape At The Shabby Tea Room

Happy first Monday in October!!!

This week at "The Shabby Tea Room" our newest challenge is

"Show Your Shape" using the inspiration photo below.

Our sponsors this week are The Cutting Cafe and Paper Sweeties......

I made the cutest little "treat box" using "Pumpkin Treat Box" from The Cutting Cafe

and

Stand Add-On Scarecrow from Paper Sweeties to decorate it with!!

The paper I used for the treat box is from Joann Fabrics....

I just loved how it had raised orange polka dots on the kraft paper....

I guess you can say it "spoke" to me...lol

The little scarecrow I paper pieced.....

but I did all his paper piecing and then cut him out.....

I should of cut him out first...what was I thinking (guess I wasn't!)

The Shabby Tea Room has changed it's challenges to the

FIRST and THIRD Monday of each month....

so why not head on over there and see what the rest of the "shabby girls"

have to show you.....

Join in with us...we have two fabulous prizes up for grabs this week!!

Hope to see you there!!

Entering the following challenges:
Paper Sweeties ....Happy Fall
and
613 Avenue Create .... Anything Goes
and
Anything But A Card ....Autumn Magic/Spring Wonder
and
Jellypark Friends .... Autumn/Fall Monthly Challenge
and
Allsorts .... Autumn

Trick or "TREAT"

Well, I am back from vacation and not sure where to start first....

does that happen to you??

It is all so overwhelming when you get home

you sometimes ask yourself why you even went away in the first place...lol!!

But, before I left I did manage to finish my weekly project for "Crafty Secrets"

I made these cute little "TREAT" boxes using all my leftover paper pieces

from making last weeks "BOO" boxes you can see HERE.

I thought it was a great way to use up my already printed papers!!!

The papers had all been printed from 

"Crafty Secrets Creating With Vintage Halloween CD #4"

I used a Sizzix pillow box die, scraps of ribbon, buttons

and the tags were punched from my paper scraps.

This was an extremely quick project that I think turned out "fabulous"!!!!

I hope you will visit Crafty Secrets soon, as they have a wonderful sale going on

with your choice of 6 8 different packets (she just added 2 new packets)...

an over $70 dollar value for $24.90 (that includes shipping!)

you won't want to miss these, as once they are gone, they are gone!!

Entering the following challenges:
Die Cuttin Divas .... Anything Goes
and
All Crafts .... Anything But A Card
and
Make My Monday .... Die Cuts/Punches
and 
Craft-Dee Bowz .... Anything Goes
and
The Corrosive Challenge Blog .... Halloween Colors